PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rent-A-Center, Inc. (NASDAQ/NGS:RCII), a rent-to-own industry leader, announced today that it is partnering with the largest domestic hunger-relief organization, Feeding America, to raise $150,000 in one month – Hunger Action Relief month this September.
The new fundraising campaign, called “Fill the Fridge,” will benefit Feeding America’s nationwide network of food banks. It will take place in 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 in Wisconsin.
All U.S. and Puerto Rico stores will be participating.
“That means that our stores nationwide will raise money that will stay local and benefit local communities,” said Gina Hethcock, Senior Public and Community Relations Manager for Rent-A-Center, Inc. “Hard working people are still struggling to make ends meet. Each dollar we raise helps to secure 11 meals for people in need. So when we meet our goal, we will have provided 1.65 million meals.”
Customers can donate one of four ways:
- Buy a pin-up card at the point of purchase desk or kiosk
- Make a cash donation
- Donate your down payment (Only customers who are returning to lease a new agreement after having previously paid in full)
- Donate online beginning Sept. 1 at www.feedingamerica.org/fillthefridge
“One in eight Americans may not know where they will find their next meal,” said Nancy Curby, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Operations at Feeding America. “We are thankful to Rent-A-Center for its support of Feeding America member food banks across the country, and we are happy to now partner on a national level. Fill the Fridge helps us provide more meals to people in need and creates an opportunity for everyone to help make a difference.”
Hunger relief is one of Rent-A-Center’s three pillars of giving, along with disaster relief and family empowerment. Rent-A-Center has donated a total of $142,300 through corporate and coworker donations and has volunteered over 600 work hours towards hunger relief alone.
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.
