SuburbanCares 2021 Year In Review

As we close out 2021, we look back with a renewed sense of hope that our nation is moving forward and healing from the COVID-19 pandemic. This was another challenging year for many families in underserved communities, many of whom struggled for even the basic necessities. While we focused much of our efforts in 2020 around feeding overworked, understaffed healthcare workers at major hospitals in hard-hit areas of the country, in 2021 we shifted our focus to support organizations that worked to provide meals and other essentials to children and families in need. This past year, the SuburbanCares corporate pillar centered on initiatives to support underserved communities within our U.S. footprint, specifically focused on organizations centered on women and children.

During the pandemic, many nonprofit organizations remained open to serve working families, and resources were stretched thin. They coached children through online schooling and families through crises and while many programs have returned to a more reasonable sense of normalcy, the ongoing financial aftermath of the pandemic left a significant impact. Through the Cares initiative, Suburban Propane representatives from different regions worked with these organizations to provide support and essential items including: clothing, toiletries, hot meals, school supplies, toys, and STEM and sports equipment. The amount of gratitude shown was overwhelming and we are incredibly grateful to be able to bring joy and comfort to families across the U.S. during this ongoing difficult time.
With gratitude, we thank everyone who was involved in these incredible events throughout 2021 and we look forward to continuing our Cares initiatives in 2022 and beyond.

Cradles to Crayons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – February 2021
We kicked-off our first event in February with Cradles to Crayons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Working with the organization, we were able to supply 1,000 essential hygiene packs and SuburbanCares stuffed bears to local children. Jason Trotter, Philadelphia/Telford Operations Manager and 2020 SuburbanCares award winner, was on hand to deliver the kits and to meet the staff and kids.

Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Charleston, South Carolina – April 2021
In April, we headed to Charleston, South Carolina and undertook an uplifting event with Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Tanger Outlets, and the Charleston River Dogs to shop for kids in need and provide them with clothing from Old Navy. In a wonderful two-day event, members of the River Dogs along with representatives from our local CSC shopped for the kids, packed up  goodies, and  hosted an event for the kids to pick up their new clothes.

Growing Up New Mexico, Santa Fe, New Mexico – April 2021
SuburbanCares headed west to Santa Fe, New Mexico, partnering with Growing Up New Mexico to provide the community with more than 500 Spanish-language books and 100 developmentally-appropriate, educational toys. Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber was on hand to provide our Santa Fe CSC with a special proclamation declaring April 28th as ‘Suburban Propane Day.’

Abby’s House, Worcester, Massachusetts – May 2021
For Mother’s Day, Suburban partnered with an incredible organization called Abby’s House in Worcester, Massachusetts. There, we partnered with local restaurant Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern to provide 120 hot meals to the non-profit’s female residents, their children, and the staff. We also stocked the pantry with the organization’s wish list of staples and non-perishable items. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said a few words and congratulated the Belchertown CSC team on a job well done.

Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma-Marin, Santa Rosa, California – May 2021
In May, SuburbanCares headed to Santa Rosa partnering with Mountain Mike’s Pizza, the Official Pizza Partner of the San Francisco 49ers, and Chandi Hospitality Group. Suburban Propane provided a pizza party for more than 400 at the Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma-Marin 12 locations across the county.

Brilliant Detroit, Detroit, Michigan – June 2021
Suburban Propane provided more than 300 donated meals to children and families through the nonprofit Brilliant Detroit Osborn and Central community hub locations. During the organization’s “Open Streets Detroit” initiative, residents gathered to receive a meal from Saffron De Twah, an award-winning modern Moroccan restaurant; participated in family cardio/dance class with Family Hustle; and enjoyed music along with storytelling.

15-LOVE, Albany, New York – August 2021
SuburbanCares provided back-to-school supplies for more than 700 Capital Region students enrolled in the 15-LOVE Program during this uncertain time, when the cost of everyday items continued to rise and parents struggled to provide essential items. The donation helped prime students for a successful academic year as they returned to school.

Shoes 4 the Shoeless, Dayton, Ohio – September 2021
300 students at Rosa Parks Elementary School in Middletown, Ohio began the school year with new shoes through a partnership with SuburbanCares and Shoes 4 the Shoeless, a Dayton, Ohio-area nonprofit. In coordination with SuburbanCares, the organization set up a pop-up shoe store in the school’s gymnasium and worked to provide new, properly-fitting shoes in a variety of styles and sizes for students to choose from, enabling them to put their best foot forward for the new school year. Due to this incredible collaboration, many children were able to enjoy a new pair of shoes for the first time, bringing some joy to an otherwise difficult year.

Camp Cole, Columbia, South Carolina – October 2021
Suburban Propane teamed up with Camp Cole, a fully-accessible camp and retreat facility for children, teens and adults facing an illness or hardship to provide adaptive and inclusive sporting equipment for recreation designed to help campers build life skills. This donation contributed to the development of a new recreational complex for campers to enjoy year-round. Volunteers from Suburban Propane’s local offices were greeted by the Founders and staff of Camp Cole with a facility tour, given a thank you commemorative gift, and spent the afternoon assembling the sporting equipment, which was sure to bring so many smiles to campers’ faces.

Whittier Kid City, Boise, Idaho – November 2021
In November, SuburbanCares teamed up with Whittier Kid City to help students in the Boise School Districts’ after school program to strengthen both their minds and bodies with a donation of more than 100 Robotics + STEM kits, as well as new sports equipment. The donation was shared across other area Kid City locations through a traveling STEM program.

Operation Tiny Home, Orlando, Florida – November 2021
In honor of Veterans Day, SuburbanCares collaborated with Operation Tiny Home and Cornerstone Design to provide a combat-wounded veteran with the opportunity to purchase his very own custom-built tiny home. This small footprint home will be purchased by Frederic Rosario, the recipient of the Welcome Home Grant and consists of up to two bedrooms, storm resistant features and includes all the amenities of a full-size house, while also designed to provide stability, peace of mind, and comfort.

Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals, Torrance, California – November 2021
Suburban Propane volunteers teamed with Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals to decorate superhero and holiday hats and assemble Gift Packages, which included bilingual books, crayons and stickers, They were then provided to Providence TrinityKids Care in Torrance. In addition, Suburban Propane made a donation to that funded 1,300 superhero hats and Hero Club Gift Packages for kids in more than 65 local hospitals.