Parker’s recently donated $10,000 to the Lowcountry Autism Foundation, supporting the nonprofit organization’s Art Therapy Program in full for the year through the company’s Fueling the Community charitable giving program. 

 

“We wanted to partner with an organization that made a real impact in the communities we serve,” said Parker’s Vice President of Marketing Brandon Hofmann, who recently presented the check to the Lowcountry Autism Foundation. “We know this important organization relies on community support to fund their programs for families affected by autism.”

Funds were raised through the sale of 20,000 reusable Autism Awareness travel cups, which are available at Parker’s locations throughout Georgia and South Carolina.

“We are grateful to Parker’s for helping enhance the lives of children with autism,” said Sophia Townes, Lowcountry Awareness Foundation Program Coordinator. “Art therapy is incredibly important for children with autism, It helps develop a child’s self-esteem, improves communication skills and gives them a creative outlet.”

As Parker’s expands into the Charleston, S.C. market this summer, the company will continue to partner with the Lowcountry Autism Foundation, which is headquartered in Charleston and serves families throughout coastal South Carolina.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that in 42 boys and one in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States and reports that autism affects more children in America than diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or Down syndrome combined.

The Lowcountry Autism Foundation provides programs to support families through customized programs designed to fill gaps in service. With a small staff and a dedicated group of volunteers, the organization has provided more than $500,000 in free autism services to over 1,500 Lowcountry families.   

Deeply engaged with the communities it serves – including those here in Beaufort County – Parker’s has donated nearly $1 million to area schools since the inception of the Fueling the Community program.Parker’s also endows the Parker’s Emergency and Trauma Center at Memorial Hospital in Savannah and spearheads the Keep Savannah Clean anti-litter campaign. In 2018, the company also donated a record $5 million to create the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University. Parker’s is committed to giving back to every community where it operates retail stores.

Founded in 1976, Parker’s has earned accolades for its Parker’s Rewards loyalty program, award-winning Fueling the Community charitable initiative, innovative mobile app and acclaimed Parker’s Rewards program, which has saved customers $10 million+ since its inception.  

Parker’s has been ranked on Inc.’s elite list of the top 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for four consecutive years, has been recognized by USA Todayfor its impressive food selection and has earned raves as a top-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor. The company employs nearly 1,000 individuals throughout the region and completes more than 125,000 transactions daily.  

ABOUT PARKER’S:

Parker’s is strategically redefining America’s convenience store industry, offering customers high-quality products, freshly prepared food and superior customer service at 57 retail stores throughout southeast Georgia and South Carolina. Headquartered in Savannah, Ga., Parker’s has a commitment to exceeding customer expectations and has repeatedly been recognized as one of the nation’s leading convenience store and food service companies. In addition to world-famous hand-breaded Southern Fried Chicken Tenders, Parker’s Kitchen also serves made-from-scratch mac ‘n’ cheese, a breakfast bar and daily specials. The company’s popular Parker’s Rewards loyalty program, which includes more than 150,000 members, has saved Parker’s customers more than $10 million to date. For more information about Parker’s, visit www.parkersav.com.

RECENT AWARDS AND ACCOLADES:

  • 2018 Convenience Foodservice Leader of the Year – Convenience Store News
  • Top 10 U.S. Gas Station Brands – Gas Buddy
  • Best Convenience Store – Savannah Morning NewsReaders’ Choice Awards
  • Best Convenience Store – Savannah MagazineBest of Savannah Awards
  • Best Convenience Store – Statesboro Herald“Best in the ‘Boro” Awards
  • Best Convenience Store – Bryan County Now “Best of Bryan” Awards
  • Regional Economic Impact Award – Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
  • Best Convenience Store – Island Packet
  • Most Fab Convenience Store – Effingham Herald
  • Keep Liberty Beautiful Award – Coastal Courier
  • Most Fabulous Gas Station – Effingham Living
  • Wayne County’s Favorite Convenience Store– Jesup Press-Sentinel
  • Citizen of the Year Award – Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club
  • Community Hero Award – 100 Black Men of Savannah