As students and teachers settled into the school year, Marathon Petroleum employees were busy making sure it started off right for children across the country. Through a variety of employee-led efforts, they collected and distributed essential supplies to set the stage for a successful year.

Below, take a look at some of those collective efforts that made a real difference for students and teachers.

Anacortes, Washington

The Anacortes refinery hosted its annual Stuff the Bus event to support the Helping Hands Food Bank Cutting Hunger on the Weekends (C.H.O.W.) program. This year, refinery employees, in collaboration with the Contractor Safety Council, Marathon transport drivers, the Anacortes Schools Foundation and many business partners, raised $35,000 and donated 764 pounds of food. The C.H.O.W. program quietly delivers food to children in need.

Carlsbad, New Mexico

Marathon Petroleum’s midstream component, MPLX, donated $2,491 to cover the cost of 300 backpacks stuffed with school supplies to a backpack drive at Word of Life Church in Carlsbad.

Catlettsburg, Kentucky

Employees and contractors from our Catlettsburg refinery came together to fill nearly 100 backpacks for Ponderosa, Catlettsburg, Argillite and Russell elementary schools. Each backpack was packed with essential school supplies, plus shoes, undergarments, socks and clothing to help the kids start the school year off right. Their support had a real impact, giving the students not only what they needed but also a boost in confidence and excitement for the year ahead.

Concord, California

Marathon was a major sponsor of the Concord Police Department Bike Rodeo in California. Event organizers used a $10,000 grant from Marathon to purchase 200 bikes for children. At the event, children received a new bike, helmet and safety training.

Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit refinery hosted its annual Back to School Blitz at Kemeny Recreation. Employees distributed 450 backpacks to local youth, served over 600 meals, and provided haircuts and styled hair for more than 60 students.

At the event, Marathon Pipe Line representatives staffed a table and talked with visitors about the importance of calling 811 before digging. Employees handed out first aid kits, pizza cutters, reusable utensils and footballs.

“The event’s success would not have been possible without our incredible vendors, volunteers and partners,” said BreAnna Lockhart, Community Relations Representative for Marathon Petroleum. “Your dedication made a significant impact on our community, and we are truly grateful for your support.”

Elk City, Oklahoma

MPLX donated $2,000 to Western Oklahoma Family Care Center to support purchasing backpacks and school supplies at the Western Oklahoma Resource Fair in Elk City.

Findlay, Ohio

Employees at our Findlay office filled 50 backpacks with summer and winter outfits, socks and hygiene items to help children at Hope House and Open Arms Domestic Violence Center get ready for going back to school.

Galveston Bay, Texas

The Galveston Bay refinery’s Accounting team recently wrapped up their annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive, raising over $18,000 in supplies and funds for students in the Texas City Independent School District. Over the past two years, refinery employees and contractors have collectively contributed nearly $30,000 to support this great cause, showing their continued commitment to helping local students succeed.

Garyville, Louisiana

Marathon Pipe Line donated bags, sunglasses, first aid kits and cooling towels to students at Ascension 4 Youth Fest. (L to R) Roxanne Bartholomew, Patrick Williams, Kirby Rineheart and Matt Smith handed out items to more than 750 children who attended the free back-to-school event in Gonzales, Louisiana, near our operations in Garyville.

Los Angeles Basin

Marathon Pipe Line employees put in countless hours supporting back-to-school events in their areas. The LA Basin area in California participated in two all-day events where local students were provided with school supplies.

Robinson, Illinois

The Women’s employee network chapter from our Robinson refinery organized a back-to-school drive, gathering all kinds of school supplies and clothing for local kids getting ready for the new school year. Our team worked with the NOW Program, which sends extra food home with students in the Robinson School District on weekends. The program’s team described the donation as so needed and shared that the students in the community are so loved.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Employee volunteers from the Salt Lake City refinery supported an effort that gave about 500 local underserved children a fresh start for the school year. Using lists of specific needs, the volunteers shopped for new clothes and school supplies on behalf of the children during the Davis Education Foundation’s annual Child Spree, which the refinery helped make possible through a $5,000 grant.

San Antonio, Texas

The ARISE Women’s Employee Network Group in San Antonio collected supplies for ChildSafe, a local nonprofit focused on child abuse prevention, education and treatment. Employees donated a trunk full of school supplies, helping provide essential items.

Spokane, Washington

MPL Boise Area employees have supported the Back-to-School Block Party at Shiloh Hills Elementary School, located in Spokane, Washington, for the past three years. This year, MPL passed out notebooks to the students and will be awarding Shiloh Hills Elementary a $2,000 grant for the purchase of boots, coats and gloves.

St. Paul Park, Minnesota

This year, our St. Paul Park refinery partnered with Friends In Need Food Shelf for their annual back-to-school event. Employee volunteers packed over 330 backpacks with school supplies and the refinery also collected supplies on site, filling six large boxes. These backpacks and supplies were distributed to students from several local schools to help them prepare for the new school year.