Business : Round up at your local Fareway in July to support Variety the Children’s Charity

Fareway Stores, Inc. is partnering with Variety - the Children's Charity to conduct the seventh annual Round Up at the register from July 3 - 22 at all 136 store locations.

Customers will have the opportunity to round up to the next dollar or provide an additional donation on their grocery bill to help fund Variety's mission. Dollars raised through the Round Up will provide mobility equipment to children living with special needs, as well as fund and deliver effective programs and grants to care for children who are underprivileged, at-risk, critically ill, or living with special needs.

Variety works with physical therapists to identify children who would greatly benefit from a specialized bicycle or other piece of adaptive mobility equipment, such as gait trainers, standers, mobile standers and more. Additionally, the funds raised through the Fareway Round Up will help Variety provide grants to nonprofit organizations serving children, as well as vans to help transport children to programming activities.

"We are thankful for this opportunity to once again partner with Fareway to help Iowa's children," said Sheri McMichael, executive director of Variety. "The round up is a great example of how Fareway customers and employees continuously show how much they care for children in need."

About Fareway: Fareway Stores, Inc. is a growing Midwest grocery company currently operating 136 stores in a seven-state region. Fareway's mission is to provide the highest quality products, while treating customers like family, and valuing dedicated employees. Its stores are known for their unmatched, full-service meat departments, farm-fresh produce, and exceptional to-your-car customer service. Fareway is a family-owned business, recognized as a top 10 employer in Iowa, and has more than 12,000 total employees. Visit Fareway.com for more information or shop online by visiting Shop.Fareway.com.

Lead with Love is part of Fareway's mission aimed at supporting local communities through charitable giving efforts and other initiatives by direct involvement and donated resources. Lead with Love is a valued philosophy held by Fareway and inspired by its outstanding employees. Visit Fareway.com/LeadwithLove for more information.

About Variety: Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are at risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs. Since the inception of the Telethon in 1975, Variety has raised more than $134 million to support children in need throughout the state. Variety is making a better future for our community by connecting people who care to programs that enable children to reach their full potential. For more information on how you can be a part of our work, please visit varietyiowa.com.

Pictured are Fareway CEO Reynolds Cramer and five-year-old Moby at the Pleasant Hill Fareway Store. In January, Reynolds and his wife Sheila sponsored Moby's specialized bike. These bikes are incredibly beneficial to children living with special needs, but are rarely covered by insurance.

This specialized bike is the same bike Moby uses at physical therapy - now that he has a bike he can ride at home, he has continued to gain strength and improve his balance and motor skills, while also enjoying the simple fun of a bike ride! Moby's mom shared this update in June: "We can't thank Fareway and Variety enough! Moby's new bike is more than just a bike for him. It allows him to ride bikes with his brothers and sisters, it's a good workout for him, and helps him build better balance and coordination by pedaling and steering. He is so proud of himself and his new bike! He loves cruising up and down our sidewalk and saying hi to our neighbors! He also gets to take his bike to school. This bike has brought him happiness and confidence. He even participated in the Centennial Elementary bike rodeo where he passed a bike course ran by the Altoona Police Department! So, so awesome. Thank you again!"