The SuburbanCares® Award honors and celebrates our employees who surpass expectations to serve our constituencies. Annually, we recognize five exceptional individuals for their outstanding contributions to their communities. Congratulations to these outstanding individuals, we’re honored they are a part of Suburban Propane and its 95-year legacy!

Here’s an overview of our 2023 SuburbanCares® Award winner and four finalists.

Winner: Anna Soholt

On May 12, 2023, an 81-year-old gentleman with Alzheimer’s, unintentionally took the car keys and drove away from his home. His wife – terrified and uncertain of his location, alerted law enforcement. She recalled having left her cell in the car, she called her husband to determine his whereabouts. The gentleman answered her call while stopped at a red light. Officers advised her to keep her husband on the line and guide him to a parking lot, which happened to be Suburban Propane’s Tacoma, Washington CSC. Law enforcement and his wife worked quickly to contact the CSC alerting the employees of the situation.

Suburban Propane’s Customer Service Representative, Anna Soholt, understood the urgency when speaking with his wife. She coaxed the gentleman from the car, offering him water in the office, while the Sheriff waited outside for his wife.

When his wife reached the CSC, she thanked the Sheriff who credited Anna for keeping him comfortable and explained how she stayed beyond her shift, refusing to leave till the gentleman’s wife arrived. As the couple began to journey home, he told his wife, “Anna gave me ice water, let me use the restroom, and was so kind. What a beautiful young woman.”

What began as a terrifying afternoon, thankfully concluded with a peaceful ending. If not for Anna’s kindness, the search for this gentleman could have been longer. Suburban Propane is honored to present Anna Soholt with the 2023 SuburbanCares® Award for her exceptional kindness, compassion, altruistic efforts, and going above and beyond.

Finalist: Matt Holcomb & Eric Fordyce

On the morning of March 17th, 2023, technicians Matt Holcomb and Eric Fordyce were on a new furnace installation job when they discovered a fire in an existing customer’s home likely caused by a malfunctioning electrical appliance. Matt and Eric acted swiftly, using company provided a fire extinguisher to contain the blaze, ensuring the safety of the elderly homeowner, whom Matt guided outside. They promptly called 9-1-1, leading to the arrival of the local fire department, who praised their heroic efforts in preventing a potential disaster. Both Matt and Eric, longstanding employees of Suburban Propane, exemplify the company’s values through their meticulous work, strong work ethic, and caring attitude.

Finalist: Kelly Gallagher

Kelly Gallagher’s deep connection to the Girl Scouts goes back to her childhood involvement, and she hoped to co-lead a troop when her daughter joined, but the pandemic derailed those plans. This past year, Kelly finally became a Brownie Leader, guiding young girls toward leadership development while sustaining the organization’s values. As a leader, Kelly emphasizes the importance of fun, experiential learning, friendship, self-improvement, and community engagement, while engaging the troop in diverse and unique actives. Kelly’s outstanding service extends beyond her role as a leader, making her an invaluable member of Suburban Propane.

Finalist: Blaine Wagoner

Blaine Wagoner, a retired Winston-Salem firefighter with over 27 years of service, joined Suburban Propane in December 2021, bringing a daily dose of positivity to the office. Beyond his professional life, Blaine has been an instrumental volunteer in the Appalachian Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) Program for the last five years, mentoring and teaching children aged 7 to 18 in traditional mountain music. He offers lessons in various stringed instruments, ensuring access for those in need, and even provides repairs. The JAM Program fosters connections through music, as it empowers kids to connect with their community and strengthen their future, and Blaine’s commitment as a volunteer allows the students to flourish.

Finalist: Michelle Karpilovsky

Michelle Karpilovsky, Brand & Communications Manager, is an experienced yoga practitioner of over ten years and a certified instructor. Challenges following the pandemic forced her neighborhood studio in Jersey City Heights to close its doors in Spring 2021, just before the much-anticipated season of Yoga in the Park. Michelle, along with another instructor took over the program which offers free outdoor yoga classes for the community from May through November. Partnering with local non-profits for practice space, she welcomes donations that benefit these organizations, ensuring that Jersey City Heights, a diverse community, has access to yoga, regardless of financial circumstances

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Earlier this week, employee volunteers from Suburban Propane’s Orlando, Florida customer service center united with One Heart for Women and Children, to assist with the packing and distribution of food through a mobile food drop, impacting over 1,000 families in the Orlando region.

The goal of One Heart for Women and Children is to offer essential support to families facing challenges as they navigate and conquer the difficulties of everyday life in the Central Florida region. The organization collaborates with numerous local resources in the area to inform, empower, and guide these families.

With over 20% of families in the Orlando area living below the poverty line, One Heart for Women and Children not only provides aid but offers programs aimed to empower these families, offering a lifeline to escape the challenges of poverty, fostering self-sufficiency and improved well-being for a more sustainable future.

“One Heart for Women and Children is here to help people feel seen, valued, and heard through the gift of healthy food in times of transition, and we are grateful to Suburban Propane for their support,” said Stephanie Bowman, Executive Director, One Heart for Women and Children.

Suburban Propane’s contribution helped purchase, assemble, and distribute food boxes for over 1,000 people in need throughout the Central Florida region. This endeavor is a component of Suburban Propane’s community-giving initiative known as SuburbanCares® which focuses on supporting the communities where the Company is present across 42 states.

To learn more, donate, or get involved with One Heart for Women and Children, click here to see how you can help.

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Suburban Propane’s contribution donated 1,000 hygiene kits for distribution among children and adults in need throughout the Greater Phoenix Area. Each package contains an assortment of toiletries like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and other necessities that will provide care for up to 30 days.  This effort is a part of the SuburbanCares® community-giving initiative, centered on helping the local communities in which the Company operates across 42 states.

“In difficult times, many people including the homeless, working poor, and domestic abuse survivors cannot afford essentials like soap and shampoo,” said Adele Crowley, Shoebox Ministry’s volunteer coordinator.

Every day people within their community struggle with receiving basic supplies, such as food, hygiene items, or even shelter. It’s one of the reasons that nonprofit organizations like Shoebox Ministry are vital. With compassion and care, they provide critical support while helping restore dignity to the people they serve.

For over 30 years, Shoebox Ministry facilitates the collection and distribution of toiletry items to various agencies that serve the homeless, domestic violence survivors, people in recovery, the working poor, and other individuals who cannot afford hygiene items in the greater Phoenix area. To learn more, donate, or get involved with Shoebox Ministry, click here to see how you can help.

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At Suburban Propane, we acknowledge the valor of those who have selflessly defended our freedom, and we remain dedicated to hiring and assisting veterans through our “Heroes Hired Here” initiative. We recognize veterans possess valuable skills and training that can greatly benefit our workforce and this program extends various employment opportunities to those who have served. For details about our “Heroes Hired Here” program, click here to learn more.

Suburban Propane’s commitment extends beyond the workplace, as the company’s SuburbanCares® program supports local community efforts across its 42-state footprint. Throughout the year, we engage in philanthropic endeavors to give back to active-duty service members, their families, and veterans.

Here are some of the efforts over the years:

• Volunteered at Operation Stand Down with the American Red Cross in Johnston, RI, and Norwich, CT
• Hosted the Ninth Annual Jersey City Police & Fire 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive in Jersey City, NJ
• Assembled care packages for deployed troops with Move America Forward in Sacramento, CA
• Participated in a Wreath Laying Ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery in VA
• Joined forces with The Guy Fieri Foundation to Feed Over 1,200 New Jersey Veterans in Port Monmouth, NJ
• Partnered with Veterans Bridge Home to Provide Lunch and Host a Veterans’ Hiring Event in Charlotte, NC
• Volunteers Served Breakfast to Residents at Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard in Pittsburgh, PA
• Collaborated with Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. to Pack Over 200 We Care Packages for Deployed Troops in Lake Worth, FL
• Joined forces with Operation Tiny Home and Cornerstone Design Build to Provide Combat-Wounded Veteran a $55,000 Grant Toward His First Home in Longwood, FL

Suburban Propane is honored to work within our local communities and partner with organizations to provide aid or support to members of the armed forces. From providing food to helping combat housing insecurity to empowering veterans through workforce training programs, we recognize the sacrifices made by our heroes and are dedicated to making a positive impact in their lives.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, and Happy Veterans Day!

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With numerous individuals and families living below the federal poverty line, SHARE has never turned away those in need due to financial constraints. The organization goes further by partnering with various organizations to offer important services and resources to help its clients strengthen their existing skills which paves the way for self-sufficiency and prosperity in the long run.

“Suburban Propane is honored to assist SHARE Outreach in its critical mission to provide much-needed essential supplies to Southern New Hampshire residents in need,” said Nandini Sankara, Spokesperson, Suburban Propane. “As a 95-year-old company with a footprint across 42 states, we understand the importance of helping the local communities in which we operate, and are devoted to assisting the incredible non-profits who are dedicated to making a difference.”

SHARE has been recognized as a Gold Certified Nutrition Pantry through the New Hampshire Food Bank. This program supports its beneficiaries in improving their dietary decisions by offering both nutritional education and the means to obtain wholesome food. Suburban Propane employees volunteered their time to assemble meal kits that contained essential ingredients and recipes for individuals to prepare nutritious dishes.

This initiative is part of our SuburbanCares® initiative which is dedicated to supporting community efforts across the United States. Suburban Propane has a long-standing history of volunteering and understands the critical role that nonprofit organizations play in addressing food insecurity, providing necessities, and services to people in need. We’re proud of our employees who share our commitment to making positive contributions to our communities by dedicating their time to volunteer.

SHARE offers several ways for southern New Hampshire residents to donate or volunteer. Learn more by visiting their website at sharenh.org

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Operation Stand Down is a nationwide event for veterans and military families. These events are temporary, safe retreats where military individuals experiencing homelessness – or who are at-risk, and need access to basic supplies and services receive food, necessary supplies, medical care, and various social service providers – all free of charge. These events offer a respite from the challenges and adversities veterans experience since returning from their service. Furthermore, it is also an opportunity to connect veterans with essential services to help them reintegrate into society.

As part of Suburban Propane’s SuburbanCares® platform which is dedicated to supporting community efforts across the company’s footprint in the United States, our employees volunteered to promote Health and Wellness Services offered by Service to the Armed Forces at Stand Down Rhode Island in Johnston, RI, and Stand Down Connecticut in Norwich, CT. During the event, Service to the Armed Forces offered local veterans and military families free supplies, including backpacks packed with basic hygiene items, in addition to educating veterans and the community about the various types of services offered by the Red Cross in effort to provide veterans with the resources some may desperately need. A total of 4900 comfort and care necessities were handed out, including an assortment of toiletries, rain ponchos, lip balm, and other items to 424 veterans.

Supporting our country’s veterans and active-duty military personnel is crucial as these individuals continue to make great sacrifices to protect our freedom and security. By supporting them, we ensure a smoother transition to civilian life, reducing the risk of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Additionally, strong support systems for military personnel promotes national unity, patriotism, and a sense of duty, which are critical for the transition and to reduce rates of at-risk, homeless, and unemployed veterans.

Our nation’s veterans possess valuable skills and training that can greatly benefit our society and workforce. At Suburban Propane, we honor and appreciate the brave men and women who have selflessly defended our freedom. We are dedicated to supporting veterans through our initiative called “Heroes Hired Here,” providing a range of employment advantages to those who have served. To find out more about our “Heroes Hired Here” program, please click here.

Feature Photo:

Top Left (L-R): Michelle Karpilovsky, Suburban Propane; Cole Smith, Suburban Propane and Army Veteran; Beth Healey, American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces & International Services Regional Program Manager, Connecticut & Rhode Island Region and Air Force Veteran; Bob Partington, American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces Event Volunteer, part of the Disaster Action Team, Operations: Volunteer Partner: Facilities Manager and Air Force Veteran and Sabina Matos, Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island.

Bottom Left (L-R):Cole Smith, Suburban Propane and Army Veteran; Beth Healey, American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces & International Services Regional Program Manager, Connecticut & Rhode Island Region, and Air Force Veteran; and Michelle Karpilovsky, Suburban Propane.

Right (L-R): Michelle Karpilovsky, Suburban Propane; and Cole Smith, Suburban Propane and Army Veteran.

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This year’s annual event occurred yesterday, Monday, September 11, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Jersey City, NJ. This waterfront location on the Hudson River overlooks the New York City skyline and Freedom Tower, which now stands in the place of the former Twin Towers. The picturesque and solemn location allows attendees and donors to reflect, and honor the numerous people involved.

“Participating in this annual event alongside Jersey City’s first responders and our partners at the American Red Cross is an honor and a privilege,” said Nandini Sankara, Spokesperson at Suburban Propane and board member of the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We will never forget those who were lost in the 9/11 attacks, and encouraging others to give the gift of lifesaving blood helps us to honor their memory in an incredibly meaningful way.”

Suburban Propane’s President and CEO, Michael Stivala joined the event and donated to the effort. Mr. Stivala is a dedicated member of the New Jersey Regional Council within the NJ Region of the Red Cross. Plus, Eric LeGrand stopped by and leveraged his platform to raise awareness about the critical need for more blood donors. A total of 106 pints of blood were donated during this year’s memorial drive. A single pint of blood can save up to 3 lives.

Additionally, employees from the Company generously donated their time as volunteers assisting donors at the blood drive. This initiative is part of Suburban Propane’s SuburbanCares® platform which is dedicated to supporting community efforts across the company’s footprint in the United States. Suburban Propane is honored to host this annual blood drive in observance of this solemn anniversary and encourages people to donate lifesaving blood throughout the year, not just today.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org , or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, or before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

All individuals who donated blood at the event were given a commemorative t-shirt and a Red Cross first aid kit, generously provided by Suburban Propane, a dedicated national supporter of American Red Cross Blood Services.

Featured Photo 1 Caption: (L-R) Spokesperson Suburban Propane, Nandini Sankara, Wallace Brixner, Jennifer Koch, Michelle Karpilovsky, Suburban Propane President and CEO, Michael Stivala, Carolyn Camp, Jodi Lozauskas, Megan Mlynarski and Doug Zayat
(not pictured Angela Geslicki).

Featured Photo 2 Caption: Suburban Propane President and CEO, Michael Stivala donating blood.

Featured Photo 3 Caption: (L-R) CEO of the American Red Cross New Jersey Region, Rosie Taravella; Suburban Propane President and CEO, Michael Stivala; Advocate, Eric Le Grand.

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Founded in 1928, Suburban Propane’s modest start began when founder Mark Anton and his wife moved from Newark, NJ to nearby West Orange, NJ to build a home. Mrs. Anton was surprised to find there was no gas line infrastructure at their new property, and having learned to cook with gas, she found the idea of using a kerosene or electric range unappetizing.

Mr. Anton was skimming through trade magazines when an advertisement caught his attention. A company called Rock Gas sold propane and the necessary equipment for home installation. As the story goes, Mark Anton placed an order, making his wife Suburban Propane’s first happy customer.

Under the basic principle, “If there’s a need, figure out a way to fill it” – founder Mark Anton recognized that other people relocating to the emerging suburbs might also appreciate such convenience. He placed more orders and proceeded to install multiple systems in the neighborhood, which marked the inception of the Suburban Gas Company.

The Company’s journey of expansion had outgrown the suburbs of New Jersey and began extending from the Eastern coast of Maine down to Florida. Demand and development moved westward, and the Company reached from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Suburban Propane steadily expanded through customer demands and various acquisitions, growing vertically and horizontally. In 1996, Suburban Propane became a publicly traded Master Limited Partnership (NYSE:SPH) and under the same principle doctrine, continues to flourish.

Today, Suburban Propane has more than 700 locations in 42 states, meeting the energy needs of over one million residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers.

Suburban Propane continues to see and fill the needs of its customers and the industry. During the past few decades, Suburban Propane has aligned with the global demands and initiatives for a cleaner, greener future. Expanding upon its well-established legacy, Suburban Propane’s subsidiaries GoGreen, Suburban Renewables, and Suburban RNG, pioneer the Company’s ongoing efforts aimed at long-term strategic expansion and diversification, helping us discover fresh opportunities for investment, strategic alliances, and cooperation in the renewable energy sector.

Suburban Propane and its subsidiaries are firmly devoted to informing consumers, policymakers, and other crucial stakeholders about the advantages of propane, channeling investments toward developing and advancing propane as a safe, clean, green energy solution for future generations.

Suburban Propane is an honored industry leader with a rich tradition of community involvement across our national footprint. Through its philanthropic pillar, SuburbanCares® gives back to the communities through numerous local community sponsorships and gatherings. Suburban propane’s dedication is exemplified by our longtime national corporate partnership with the American Red Cross, offering support for critical initiatives: supporting safety events in underserved communities, hosting blood drives, and providing propane and other essential resources following natural disasters.

Suburban Propane’s remarkable journey, spanning nearly a century, is a testament to its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers and the energy industry as a whole. What began as a humble solution to a simple cooking problem for one family has grown into a thriving multi-million-dollar enterprise that serves over one million customers across 42 states.  Suburban Propane looks forward to a future filled with continued growth, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to our customers and the environment.

To view Suburban Propane’s 95th Anniversary Timeline click here.

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National Food Bank Day is annually observed the first Friday in September. It raises awareness of food insecurity and highlights the crucial role food banks play in addressing hunger. More importantly, it serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and businesses to contribute to food banks through donations of food, funds, or volunteer hours.

Why is this Day Important?

Food banks or pantries are non-profit organizations that play a critical role in collecting, storing, and distributing food to those facing food insecurity, due to any number of situations or circumstances. Unfortunately, hunger does not discriminate and impacts millions of Americans. By supporting food banks on this day – or any day, people can help alleviate hunger and improve the lives of those facing various hardships.

How Suburban Propane has helped over the years through SuburbanCares®.

Suburban Propane has a long-standing history of supporting the local communities in which we operate. From adults and children who are struggling, to veterans and military families, to those impacted by illness or adversity, Suburban Propane’s SuburbanCares® initiatives have fed, stocked, donated, and served people in need across the country.

Here are some of the efforts over the years:

• Teamed up with Sunbury Urban Farm to Provide a Bike Blender for Farm & Forest School Students in Columbus, OH
• Collaborated with Samaritan Center to Provide Meals and Essential Supplies in Syracuse, NY
• Volunteers Served Breakfast to Residents at Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard in Pittsburgh, PA
• Partnered with David’s House to Prepare Snack Packs for Families with Children Receiving Treatment through Dartmouth Health Children’s Hospital in Lebanon, NH
• Partnered with Veterans Bridge Home to Provide Veterans’ Hiring Event and Networking Lunch in Charlotte, NC
• Joined forces with The Guy Fieri Foundation to Feed Over 1,200 New Jersey Veterans in Port Monmouth, NJ
• Suburban Propane & Brilliant Detroit Hosted a “Street Fair” Celebration Complete with Music, Dancing, and Over 300 Donated Meals in Detroit, MI
• Paired up with Mountain Mike’s Pizza to Throw a Pizza Party for 400 at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin in Santa Rosa, CA
• Provided Catered Mother’s Day Celebration and Stock the Pantry at Abby’s House in Worcester, MA
• During the pandemic, the SuburbanCares® COVID-19 Charitable Giving Program Fed Essential Workers in California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, and the Maryland and Washington D.C. Metro.
• Donated to Harrison Food Bank and Essex Wexford School District in VT
• Hosted Customer Appreciation Day Helps Feed Families and the Community in Columbiana, OH

How to Observe.

National Food Bank Day reminds us of the power of collective efforts in ensuring that everyone has access to food while encouraging people to get involved in the ongoing battle of fighting food insecurity year-round. Here are five ways to help combat hunger:

1. Financial Contributions: Donating money allows organizations to purchase food and supplies that are in demand.
2. Volunteer: From serving meals to packing non-perishable items, or delivering food to those in need, organizations commonly need volunteers throughout the year – not just the holidays.
3. Donate: Explore your neighborhood to identify upcoming food drives, or community pantries and fridges that have gained popularity in recent years to drop off non-perishable foods. Plus, connect with local non-profit organizations to donate specifically the most requested or needed items.
4. Host a Food Drive or Fundraiser: Collaborate with family, friends, or local businesses to accept donations within your community.
5. Hunger Relief Organizations: While staying local has the largest impact on your community, explore organizations nationwide to see where and how you can help.

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Suburban Propane has a long-standing history of supporting the active military, their families, and veterans across the country. Suburban Propane’s donation helped supply over 200 care packages with a variety of essential items for our troops. The effort is part of Suburban Propane’s SuburbanCares® initiative in communities across the nation. Joining forces with Move America Forward, provided local Suburban Propane employees an opportunity to volunteer their time and give back to the men and women who serve us every day.

The packages are equipped with an assortment of essential non-perishable items including gourmet coffee, snacks, protein bars, SPF sunscreen and lip balm, bug repellent, magazines, phone cards, instant lunches, batteries, personal hygiene kits, handmade items, and more. Each care package provides a taste of home to up to 10 military personnel, serving more than 1,000 deployed troops.

Every military service member receives a thoughtfully assembled and personally addressed care package. While these parcels contain essential items requested by those deployed overseas, each package also comes with a heartfelt message containing words of encouragement, gratitude and sincere appreciation to lift the spirits of the men and women who bravely make sacrifices to protect our nation and its freedoms.

“Suburban Propane proudly supports our military and is a longtime veteran employer,” said Nandini Sankara, Spokesperson, Suburban Propane. “We’re honored to team up with Move America Forward to provide essential supplies and a taste of home to our deployed troops and to show their families that they are respected and cared for back home.”

At Suburban Propane, we recognize the courageous individuals who have made the utmost sacrifice in safeguarding our freedom. We are committed to supporting veterans and their families through our “Heroes Hired Here” program, which offers several employment benefits to those who have served. You can learn more about our “Heroes Hired Here” program by clicking here.

If you’re interested in volunteering, donating, or know someone who is deployed and would benefit receiving a personal care package, visit Move America Forward to learn how to get involved.

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