Tops launches 'Tops in Education Tote' as kids head back to school

Program expands to benefit local schools

Submitted by Tops Corporate

It’s hard to believe that, a little over two years ago, Tops Launched its highly successful “Tops Totes for Change” program. This program, which encourages shoppers to purchase a reusable bag with a special charity design for just $2.69 – with $1 of the proceeds being donated back to local community organization – is proud to add a new “Tops in Education” bag that will benefit local schools in the community.

At Tops Friendly Markets, we are committed to helping the communities we serve. Schools are a big part of those communities. To date, Tops has donated more than $1.5 million to local schools through the “Tops in Education” program (“TIE”). Tops has been committed to our local educators and, most importantly, our youth, helping provide much-needed funds to its daily curriculum and extracurricular programs by way of “TIE,” and adding a “TIE” “Tops Totes for Change” bag will continue to help foster aid to the educational community.

Since its inception, Tops is proud to say that $488,537 has been raised for area charities – and at a time that these organizations need it most.

The “Tops in Education” bag will join four other charitable bags that include support for United Way, JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), Feeding America, and Children’s Miracle Network. Within those organizations, the funds are benefitting area local chapters, including children’s hospitals and area food banks.

In addition to its philanthropic mission, the program helps Tops stay true to its environmental commitment of reducing its carbon footprint. In 2021 alone, Tops reduced its use of plastic bags and film by 490 tons.

Our consumers have a wide array of reusable bags to choose from that consist of cloth and recycled materials, which can easily and economically be purchased at the store. To see consumers make the choice, however, to give back to these charities by purchasing a “Tops Totes for Change” bag, is truly heartwarming.

To learn more about Tops sustainability efforts, visit their website at https://www.topsmarkets.com/Sustainability/.

Based in Williamsville, Tops Markets currently operates 150 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including five that are run by franchisees. For more information, visit www.topsmarkets.com.