Company Contrast: 7-Eleven

Each week 2ndVote takes a look at popular companies that either score well or score poorly. We then provide alternatives that either better align with the 2ndVote values, or that should be avoided to the best of your ability. This weekly series is called The Company Contrast, and the company we will be focusing on this week is 7-Eleven (3.63) and BP (1.68).

With gas prices at a record high, many Americans feel helpless with the high demand at the gas pumps and the rising number of those returning to work away from home. Families are left to choose a quiet spring break at home instead of traveling, which not only proves to be a letdown for our kids but also hurts the tourism industry and our economy.

According to AAA (3.00), the national average on March 11th was $4.33 per gallon. This number breaks the old record, which was set the day before. The last time we experienced gas prices this high was in the summer of 2008 when price at the pump soared to $4.11. Now, more than ever, consumers are shopping around for the best price for fuel and although BP and 7-Eleven tend to be pretty close in terms of gas prices, their philanthropic efforts couldn’t be more different.

BP Oil has been a big name in the fuel industry since the early 1900s and with the worldwide coverage of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010, BP has felt the pressure of more regulated and thorough safety management protocols and environmental stewardship. However, none of this applies to the other avenues BP takes to provide support to organizations that may not have the best intentions.

One tactic we often come across is found when companies attempt to make large donations to conservative-minded organizations in order to “kick the dirt” over their more liberal-based actions. For instance, the BP Foundation made donations to almost 90 various Christian or faith-based organizations totaling close to $230,000. However, their donations to organizations that impose on religious freedoms comes to just shy of $400,000. BP also gave almost $114,000 to organizations like Planned Parenthood (1.17), National Network of Abortion Funds and the National Abortion Federation.

With over 8,200 stores nationwide, BP may have been a “convenient” stop for fuel. However, 7-Eleven may be a better alternative with just over 9,500 stores in North America and 60,000 worldwide. 7-Eleven also shows strong support for the military and their families with several monetary actions. For example, an eighty thousand dollar donation was provided to the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, which honors military service and sacrifice by providing scholarships to veterans and military family members – especially to children of our nation’s fallen or disabled. Another donation of almost thirty-four thousand dollars to the Armed Services YMCA of the USA went specifically towards the Operation Hero Program which is a no-cost, after-school enrichment program designed for military children. These are just one of several donations made in support of our military, while other donations were also made in support of law enforcement.

7-Eleven also awarded more than 5,000 grants since its inception – a community investment of more than $3.5 million. Grants have been used to underwrite initiatives including STEM projects, tutoring, school supplies and sporting equipment to ensure children have the resources and inspiration they need to stay in school.

We hope this sheds some light on your search for where to show your support for the fuel industry. Even when prices aren’t at an all time high, it is nice to know that with each dollar that rolls over on the pump, your money is going to organizations that align with your values. We encourage you to make the conservative choice, even if it comes down to giving up a few cents per gallon.

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *