Sheridan Commercial Company inspires residents through the simple act of rounding up

When Sheridan Commercial True Value Hardware General Manager Kurt Smith and his team learned of a U.S. change shortage, they came up with an idea that would keep the need for change low and help feed hungry children by asking customers to perform the simple act of rounding up.

As a customer makes a purchase at the Sheridan Commercial True Value, they are given the option of rounding up the sum of their purchase to the nearest dollar. That change is then donated to The Food Group who then use those funds to feed Sheridan’s children. 

Sometimes that may mean donating 95 cents, other times it may only be 6 cents to get to the nearest dollar. To some, that may appear like a trivial amount, but through these small donations  in only six weeks customers raised $1,048 that will now be used to feed hungry children.   

Smith demonstrated how easy the process is to donate the rounded change by use of the card reader and should a customer choose to donate more than then the rounded change, they can simply input the amount they wish to give. 

The funds go directly into programs that feed hungry children such as the Weekend food bags and Little Free and Teen pantries, strategically placed around the community, allowing students to access what they need on their own, according to The Food Group Executive Director Keri McMeans. 

Sheridan Commercial True Value Hardware is located next door to The Food Group. McMeans and Smith consider the two organizations to be neighbors and the actions of Smith and his team reflect those words. 

They regularly help unload pallets of food from trucks for the Food Group. McMeans said the act of asking customers if they would like to round their purchase to the nearest dollar has raised much more than money.

According to Smith, the round-up donations are going to continue for the foreseeable future, creating full tummies and big smiles with just a little pocket change.

If you would like to make a donation to The Food Group, visit Sheridan Commercial True Value Hardware or jump online to thefoodgroupwy.org.