Casey’s is awarding $1 million in grants to 60 public and nonprofit, private schools across its 17-state footprint through the Cash for Classrooms program, the retailer announced.

Since 2020, the retailer has awarded more than 320 grants to schools across the company’s local communities. The grants go towards funding for education materials and technology, school equipment and learning activities.

“Creating opportunities to learn and grow and experience the world is one of the best gifts we can give kids and have a positive impact in our communities,” said Katie Petru, director of communications and community at Casey’s. “Casey’s is committed to providing financial support to the students, teachers and school systems across our footprint, and we are grateful for the generosity of our guests, team members and partners who help us make an even greater impact.”

The program provides grants ranging from $3,000 to $50,000 to support physical improvements to school buildings and playgrounds, requests for books and educational materials, and community engagement and extracurricular activities.

Examples of grants donated this year by the retailer include: $50,000 to an Omaha, Nebraska, school to update and enhance their playground; $35,700 for book vending machines at five elementary schools in Des Moines, Iowa; and $25,000 to a Knoxville, Tennessee, high school to create a College and Career Center that will provide students with dedicated space to plan their futures.

The grants are given annually, and the next cycle will open this fall.

In April, Pilot donated $10,000 to one of its local school districts in Mississippi, and Parker’s Kitchen gave $20,000 to Georgia’s Bryan County Schools. Every first Wednesday, Parker’s donates one cent of each gallon of gas sold back to helping local schools.