Now that the new school year is well underway for many students in our communities, we wanted to recognize our community partners and employees who stepped up to help students prepare for a successful year. Together, we aim to create a positive, measurable impact. From backpack donations to free haircuts, see photos of some of the community investments made for the new school year.

Anacortes, Washington – The Anacortes refinery hosted its annual Stuff the Bus event to support the Helping Hands Food Bank Cutting Hunger on the Weekends (CHOW) program. This year, the refinery, in collaboration with the Contractor Safety Council, Mills, Birch Equipment, Apache, Total Safety, Linde, and company retirees, raised $23,503. That amount was matched by Helping Hands’ Leadership Match fund from grants raised in June. The match total of $47,006 equates to 1,175,150 pounds of food. 

Canton, Ohio – The Canton refinery collected nearly 900 school supply items for Belle Stone Elementary School in Canton, Ohio. Over 75% of the children in Canton City Schools qualify for free and reduced lunch, and the need for school supplies is great. Providing school supplies helps ensure that all kids have the same opportunities to start the school year right. MPC employee Abbie Gurdy is pictured with Belle Stone Principal Amy Konigsberger.

Findlay, Ohio – ARISE, the Women’s employee network chapter in Findlay, Ohio, and the HR organization hosted a backpack and supply drive for Hope House and Open Arms Domestic Violence Center.  Employees filled 33 backpacks with school supplies, socks and a new outfit for children in need.

El Paso, Texas – The El Paso refinery supported the local Moms on Board Back-to-School event through employee volunteer efforts and a $5,000 grant. MPC’s financial assistance helped provide an interactive STEM zone where attendees could have fun while learning at the same time. The employee volunteers staffed a booth with information to help students better understand the link between education and careers in the oil and gas industry. The event also provided free backpacks, school supplies and physical exams for youth who will be participating in sports.

Detroit, Michigan – The Detroit refinery hosted its annual Back-to-School Blitz at the Kemeny Recreation Center. More than 700 residents attended. Volunteers passed out school supplies, 100 children received free haircuts and hair styles, over 500 free meals were served and over 200 feminine care kits were distributed. Human-I-T donated ten laptops that were given to local residents. Countless other resources were distributed through the refinery’s many non-profit partners. Residents also enjoyed carnival rides, dessert trucks, games and music. 

San Antonio, Texas – ARISE, the Women’s employee network chapter in San Antonio, Texas, hosted a back-to-school supply drive and employees donated almost 30 boxes of supplies to Communities in Schools of San Antonio, a nonprofit organization that connects children and their families to basic and critical educational and community-based resources. ARISE and Familia, the Hispanice employee network chapter in San Antonio, also partnered to provide TI Nspire graphing calculators for all the high school students at Boysville Children's Home and Shelter.

We strategically focus community investments on three core areas where it can make a positive, measurable impact: workforce development, sustainability and thriving communities. Learn more about our community investment priorities.