Brookshire Grocery Company pauses Heroes Run program to focus on other charitable efforts that further support local heroes  

TYLER, Texas, Feb. 23, 2024 – In an effort to raise more donations for our local heroes, Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC) has made the difficult decision to pause its Heroes Run event to reallocate resources to new programs anticipated to have more impact. 

Since the inauguration of the Heroes Run event in 2016, every dollar raised from runner registration fees has gone to supporting local first responders, military members and veterans. However, the costs to the company in hosting this event have outpaced the monies raised.

“Despite the incredible investment our company has dedicated to promoting and hosting the event, the Heroes Run has not grown to the level of success required to sustain the program,” said Jerry LeClair, Chief Merchant Officer and Executive Sponsor for BGC Racing. “We are confident that we can reinvest the resources from our vendors and employee-partners to launch a new program that can raise more donation dollars to better support our local heroes and communities. We are still working out the preliminary details of our new program and look forward to announcing that soon.”

BGC’s remains dedicated to its philanthropic efforts to contribute to local heroes. The company is excited about the upcoming FRESH 15 race, on March 2, in Tyler.

The FRESH 15 was established in 2014 to promote wellness and supports the community. One hundred percent of race revenue is donated to local nonprofit organizations that provide strength, stability and safety for families, with more than $1,300,000 raised in ten years. By comparison, the Heroes Run has raised less than 30 percent of that amount.

“At BGC, our number one focus is people. We are dedicated to making a difference in our stores and the communities we serve,” said Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO for Brookshire Grocery Co. “Each year, we donate back to our communities through organizations that support hunger relief, education, health, family wellbeing, first responders, military, and veterans. We are constantly evaluating our efforts to make sure we are aligned with the needs of each community and multiplying our efforts to create a larger impact. We are refocusing our resources into several new programs that will better serve our communities and local heroes.”

Annually, the company donates more than $100,000 to local charities that support first responders, military and veterans. In addition to corporate giving, BGC has honored hundreds of veterans through the Heroes Flight program with an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. to visit memorials built in their honor. BGC is also proud to host First Responder Luncheons, providing a free hot meal for local first responders in appreciation of their hard work and dedication to their community.

The Shreveport and Bossier City Police and Fire Departments, along with several other local nonprofits, have benefited from the total funds raised by Heroes Run. BGC’s strong commitment to supporting these organizations remains intact as it explores more prosperous programs that will make a greater, more positive impact in the communities we serve. Since 1928, caring for people and serving customers and communities has been at the core of BGC.