If you have made a purchase at a Royal Farms location in the last 26 years, chances are you’ve seen a coin canister sitting on the check-out counter. Even if not, it was probably there. That’s because for more than a quarter century, Royal Farms has fundraised— pennies at a time—for Johns Hopkins Children’s Center through year-round coin canisters in their approximately 200 locations.

While Royal Farms supports other charities, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center is its largest beneficiary—receiving nearly $2 million in donations to date. Royal Farms leadership felt the Children’s Center was the “perfect fit,” because like Royal Farms it is rooted in Baltimore but serves a broader community.

A long-time Radiothon sponsor, in 2018 Royal Farms wanted to do more. The chain launched its first-ever Chicken Palooza, a celebration of its world-famous chicken where customers also had a chance to win chicken for a year. Royal Farms also wanted to use this opportunity to give back to the community by donating ten cents from every $5 chicken box sold during the two-month event to the Children’s Center. That idea excited both customers and employees alike.

“It feels good to be part of a company that gives back to our community and allows our customers the opportunity to do the same,” says Stephanie Johns, a district leader for Royal Farms who oversees numerous locations in the Baltimore area.

A few months later, Royal Farms CEO John Kemp, project manager Shelby Kemp and public relations and marketing associate Breahna Brown presented a check for the total amount raised through Chicken Palooza 2018 at the hospital: an impressive $100,000. If that wasn’t enough, they also brought lunch for the patients and families at the Children’s Center that day—a huge hit!

“When Shelby called to tell me how much they raised, I think I cried,” says Cynthia Palacz, senior associate director of development. “The fact that that our community has the power to raise that amount pennies at a time in just two months is inspiring. We’re so thankful to Royal Farms for its unwavering support of our hospital.”

John Kemp adds, “We are very proud to partner with Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Their excellent national reputation continues to impress us year after year. Our customers and employees rallied together during Chicken Palooza 2018 for the Children’s Center. We’re looking forward to see what Chicken Palooza 2019 has in store!”

Save the dates for Royal Farms Second Annual Chicken Palooza: July 1–Aug. 30, 2019.