PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rent-A-Center, Inc., (RAC) a rent-to-own industry leader, launched a nationwide effort recently to help those affected by Harvey, targeting two fronts: coworkers and evacuees impacted by the storm and a national network of food banks, many of which are stretched thin due to providing on-going relief.
Coworkers and Their Families
On Wednesday, Rent-A-Center created a GoFundMe account called the RAC Harvey Coworker Relief Project to raise money for coworkers and their families impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Mark Speese, Chief Executive Officer of Rent-A-Center, announced the company would match up to $25,000 in donations to be disbursed to RAC families to help them get back on their feet.
“While our hundreds of coworkers are all accounted for and safe, we know that they are in a time of tremendous need,” said Speese in a company-wide letter. “They are anxious and uncertain about their futures. Many have lost nearly everything - but they have not lost their RAC family.”
By Thursday, coworkers across the nation had raised nearly $10,530.
Evacuees
Rent-A-Center also organized a clothing and food drive Thursday in its Plano headquarters. The plan is to deliver the donations in Rent-A-Center trucks to various shelters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area housing thousands of displaced evacuees.
“We are uniquely positioned to help those beyond our coworker community, including, possibly, some of our impacted customers,” Speese said. “Know that no donation or effort is too small. Together, we can and will make a difference.”
Fill the Fridge Food Bank Campaign
And finally, today, Rent-A-Center kicked off its national hunger relief campaign during September - Hunger Action month, with a portion of the donations going directly to food banks depleted by the heavy demand brought on by Hurricane Harvey. RAC is partnering with the largest domestic hunger-relief organization, Feeding America, to raise $150,000.
Customers throughout the country can head to their nearest Rent-A-Center, Get It Now, Home Choice, ColorTyme, RimTyme or ANOW kiosk and donate one of three ways:
- Buy a pin-up card at the point of purchase desk or kiosk
- Make a cash donation
- Donate online beginning Sept. 1 at www.feedingamerica.org/fillthefridge
The fundraising campaign, called “Fill the Fridge,” will benefit Feeding America’s nationwide network of food banks with a portion of the funds raised going to food banks in Texas and Louisiana. All of Rent-A-Center’s Core U.S. stores, its AcceptanceNOW kiosk locations in third party retailers, Rent-A-Center Franchising, Inc., and Home Choice and Get It Now! stores will participate.
“Feeding America food banks are delivering food, water, cleaning supplies and other essentials to communities devastated by the storm,” Feeding America’s web site read. “At the national level, Feeding America is conducting ongoing monitoring of the situation on-the-ground and coordinating efforts with disaster partners including the American Red Cross and FEMA.”
About Rent-A-Center
A rent-to-own industry leader, Plano, Texas-based, Rent-A-Center, Inc., is focused on improving the quality of life for its customers by providing them the opportunity to obtain ownership of high-quality, durable products such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture, and accessories, under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation. The Company owns and operates approximately 2,600 stores in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico, and approximately 1,300 AcceptanceNOW kiosk locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Rent-A-Center Franchising International, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a national franchiser of approximately 230 rent-to-own stores operating under the trade names of "Rent-A-Center," "ColorTyme," and "RimTyme." For additional information about the Company, please visit our website at www.rentacenter.com.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the U.S. Together the network provides food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Feeding America can be followed on Facebook or on Twitter.
