$185K Raised: Strack & Van Til celebrates Food Bank Round Up success

On Tuesday, February 17, Strack & Van Til presented the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana with a check for $185,193 at the Food Bank’s location in Merrillville. The funds were raised between November and December 2025 through Strack & Van Til’s Check Out Challenge Round Up program. This program enables Strack and Van Til’s customers to round their total up to the nearest whole dollar to support charitable organizations in Northwest Indiana.

Strack & Van Til employees and stores that raised the most Round Up funds received awards for their efforts. Attendees were provided with lunch before awards were presented, with the top five team members receiving individual honors.

“Today’s just a day of appreciation for our stores and what they helped raise from our customers during our 2025 Food Bank Roundup,” said Jeffrey Strack, President of Strack & Van Til.

He credited the company’s associates and managers for driving the effort.

“We couldn’t do it without our staff. Everything starts with people, and at Strack & Van Til we feel we have the greatest associates and managers in the business. We’re really proud of them. We wanted to recognize them and thank them for the efforts that they did to make an impact,” Strack said.

Strack also thanked the customers who chose to round up their totals.

“Thank you to all of our customers who helped us during the roundup and who contributed their loose change and their dollars to help the Food Bank. We realize that this is all because of them, and we thank them for not only shopping at Strack & Van Til but also helping support our communities,” Strack said.

In 2025, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana distributed a record 11.4 million pounds of food and served more than 750,000 Lake and Porter County neighbors — a milestone made possible in part through partnerships like this one.

“We’re so excited that just rounding up, saying yes at the register, yes at the checkout, helped raise over $185,000,” said Victor Garcia, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

The fundraiser serves as a reminder that even small contributions can create significant results. The little things have a way of adding up.

“We talk about tiny, noticeable things; those tiny, noticeable things we do have an impact. Those pennies do matter — $185,000 worth that’s going to help feed the people in our community through various programs during the year,” Strack said.

In addressing the company’s workforce, Strack emphasized the importance of showing up consistently for the Region.

“I appreciate all of the 2,700 employees and managers who work at Strack & Van Til for making that difference in the community. That’s why local businesses matter. It’s the people who show up every day that make a difference. We show up day in and day out. Northwest Indiana, I truly believe, is better off because of you and because of Strack & Van Til, and I appreciate each one of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all that you do; you’re the reason why Strack & Van Til is Northwest Indiana’s number one grocer,” he said.

Garcia said the long-standing collaboration continues to strengthen hunger relief efforts across the Region.

“We cannot be as successful as we are without the robust partnership that we experienced with Strack & Van Til, and we’re so very honored to have that,” Garcia said. “Visiting a Strack & Van Til store is like being home. We see our friends. We see our neighbors when we’re shopping. We see all the staff that we’ve built relationships with. It nourishes the soul. Our job at the Food Bank is to get nutrition to folks who maybe can’t make ends meet. Their job is to nourish the soul and make sure that we have access to nutrient-dense foods, that we have access to community, and that we have the ability to help others in their time of need.”

Strack agreed that the company’s role extends beyond selling groceries.

“We sell things on shelves – cans of corn, frozen pizzas, fresh meat, produce – but really, what we’re able to do at Strack & Van Til is much larger. We are able to help our communities be a better place to live, and that really puts things into perspective. Not only are we taking care of customers, but we’re also taking care of communities,” Strack said. “We’re fortunate enough that we’re able to continue to serve our communities and help make them a better place.”

Garcia encouraged continued participation in roundup campaigns throughout the year, benefiting local nonprofits.

“We hope that people leave here today feeling energized to continue this work. It’s not just the Food Bank that they’re supporting. There are roundup campaigns that are happening all throughout the year for many local nonprofits that are supporting our community, and we’re just very thankful to be a small part of that effort,” Garcia said.

For more information on Strack & Van Til’s services, products, and upcoming events, visit strackandvantil.com.