Harris Teeter’s Together in Education Program Reaches Giving Milestone
Charlotte, N.C. (PRWEB) January 07, 2014 -- Harris Teeter announced today that it has donated $20 million since 1998 to schools participating in the Company’s Together in Education (TIE) program.
Harris Teeter’s co-founder W.T. Harris championed educational initiatives throughout the state of North Carolina; the Company’s own corporate giving programs were also tied to education. In 1998, therefore, Harris Teeter formalized a program which allowed community members to earn money for schools simply by shopping at the grocery store.
When customers purchase participating Harris Teeter Brand products or fill a prescription in a Harris Teeter pharmacy using their VIC card, Harris Teeter contributes a percentage of those purchase dollars to the school(s) of their choice. Schools can use the money as they see fit on anything from basic supplies to band equipment or computers.
Together in Education Program History
The community’s awareness of the Together in Education program has grown substantially since the program was established over 15 years ago. During the 1998-99 school year, 95,500 community members linked their VIC cards to the 2,156 schools which participated in Together in Education compared to the 212,829 community members who are linked to 5,500 schools today.
Over the years, Harris Teeter has hosted many memorable TIE bonus programs designed to grow awareness for the program, as well as provide schools with additional opportunities to raise money. We Think Green helped teach students the importance of recycling plastic bags; the school that accumulated the most bags over an established time period won $1,000. Teachers of Excellence was a program that rewarded educators for their commitment to the classroom; winning teachers were awarded $1,000 for themselves, as well as $1,000 for their school. Sing My Jingle afforded schools the opportunity to sing the “My Harris Teeter” jingle, with the top school winning $10,000.
Fundraising Success Stories
Three Together in Education schools – Barcroft Elementary School, Grimsley Senior High School and Page High School – stand out as top earners for the 2012-2013 school year:
• Barcroft Elementary School; Arlington, Va. earned $22,809.75
• Grimsley Senior High Choral Program; Greensboro, N.C. earned $15,865.13
• Page High School; Greensboro, N.C earned $12,432.86
Looking Ahead
To celebrate reaching the $20 million donation milestone, Harris Teeter and Together in Education will be launching a $100,000 Giveaway Contest in February 2014. Harris Teeter looks forward to surprising some very lucky shoppers whose VIC cards are linked to a Together in Education school.
About Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter Inc., with headquarters in Matthews, N.C., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. (NYSE: HTSI). Harris Teeter reported 2013 sales of $4.71 billion. The regional grocery chain employs approximately 25,000 associates and operates stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.
Danna Jones, Harris Teeter, +1 704.844.3904, [email protected]
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