ALTOONA, Pa., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheetz, Inc. announced today it has sent refrigerated trucks to assist the American Red Cross in distributing food to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. In an effort to help those devastated by the storm, the convenience restaurant chain will also collect monetary donations for the American Red Cross, starting Friday through December 16, 2012, at all Sheetz locations.

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Sheetz donated the use of three 48' refrigerated distribution trucks and drivers, to assist the American Red Cross in delivering meals to storm victims in Toms River, East Rutherford and Middletown, New Jersey. The drivers left for the American Red Cross emergency kitchens on November 10, 2012, and will stay on site at those locations for a minimum of three weeks, with the potential to stay longer, if necessary.

"We were in critical need of refrigerated trucks at several of our emergency locations where victims of Hurricane Sandy are being cared for, Sheetz are true heroes because they stepped up, responded to our request and within hours, knew what they could do to help," says Steve Birkhauser, with the American Red Cross. "'We are extremely grateful to Sheetz for acting so quickly and providing a way for us to deliver food to the devastated areas."

Customers can donate money at any of Sheetz' 431 locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Donations will go directly to the Red Cross, to help rebuild the lives destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

"Sheetz has a tradition of helping the American Red Cross whenever it's been necessary," says Louie Sheetz, executive vice president of marketing, Sheetz, Inc. "We respect and admire the work that they do in these situations.  Their efforts are monumental and that is why we help when we can."

Established in 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz, Inc. is one of America's fastest growing family-owned and operated convenience restaurant chains, with more than $6 billion in annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees.  The company operates 431 locations throughout Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and West Virginia.  Sheetz provides an award-winning menu of MTO® subs, sandwiches and salads, which are ordered through unique touch-screen order point terminals.  Sheetz currently ranks on the Best Places to Work list in North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia, and has been on the list in Pennsylvania for ten consecutive years.  All Sheetz convenience restaurants are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  For more information, visit www.sheetz.com.

SOURCE Sheetz, Inc.