For 75 years, Garrett Popcorn Shops has a proud tradition of supporting meaningful initiatives within the communities we serve. Through our Garrett Cares social impact program, our mission is to help fellow team members and neighbors advance these key pillars: Social Justice, Wellness, Education, and the Arts.
95th Annual Bud Billiken Parade & Festival
August 10, 2024 | Bronzeville Neighborhood
The Garrett team was proud to once again support Chicago Defender Charities Bud Billiken® Parade, celebrating the Back to School season for students, and the organization's 95th anniversary uniting the community through education, serving Chicago's South Side.
Supporting Partner Initiatives in Celebration of National Popcorn Day
In celebration of National Popcorn Day, Garrett Popcorn is helping fuel important initiatives led by our partners in the Chicagoland area.
Blackhawks Foundation and American Red Cross:
Blood drive at Fifth Third Arena on January 4th to help with the critical shortage of blood donations in the City of Chicago.
Sky Cares Foundation and She Is Undefeated
Vision Board Project on January 24th, mentoring and empowering young women as they make their goals a reality.
Chicago Bulls, Don C, and Haines Elementary School
Lunar New Year Program, helping design game day graphics and instilling values of the Chinese community into the Lunar New Year Game.
Embracing the Spirit of Giving: Join Us in Supporting Lurie Children’s Radiothon!
Thursday, December 7, 2023 | 6am – 7pm
Lurie Children’s Radiothon is a live holiday broadcast to raise funds in support of the patients and families at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Tune in on Thursday, December 7, to hear stories of breakthroughs, bravery, and healthier futures for kids. All funds raised through the Radiothon help fuel research, support families, and provide lifesaving care to kids.
Garrett Popcorn Shops has a long history of supporting healthcare institutions and the communities they serve. During Radiothon week, Garrett will provide over 1,000 bags of Garrett Mix for hospital staff, volunteers, and sponsors, along with a financial contribution to support the Mentorship + Workforce Development and Education program. Lurie Children’s Mentorship + Workforce Development and Education program provides students in underserved communities with healthcare job training skills and opportunities. This life-changing program provides work-based experiences throughout the hospital and career guidance, so youth understand the requirements and rewards of being a healthcare professional. Under the mentorship of Lurie’s experts, promising students learn about a range of healthcare careers and delve deeper into chosen medical fields.
Tune in to radio partners 93.9 Lite FM, Rock 95.5 FM, 103.5 KISS FM, 107.5 WCGI, Inspiration 1390, or 102.7 V103 to hear stories from our patients, families, and caregivers!
Garrett returns to Sista Strut 2023 for 3K Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
October 7, 2023 @ 10 am | Salvation Army Kroc Center Chicago
Sista Strut recognizes the strength of survivors and their family and friends while educating the community about the issues of breast cancer in women of color, promoting early detection and the search for a cure.
These efforts support the Sisters Network’s mission to increase awareness for the devastating impact that breast cancer has on the African American community.
Samples of Garrett Popcorn grocery bags will be available at the event and Garrett team members will join to strut alongside our amazing Chicago community
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
For more than 10 years, Garrett Popcorn Shops has partnered with organizations that provide resources to breast cancer patients, survivors and their families during treatment and recovery. We are proud that these partnerships extend outside Chicago, to include organizations in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Washington DC.
Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center: Breast Cancer Awareness Panel Discussion
The Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research promotes advanced breast cancer research at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Nina Hyde Center represents a long-standing, concerted, multidisciplinary strategy between Lombardi's basic scientists, population researchers, and clinicians. More than 50 Lombardi scientists and physicians study breast cancer, striving to oncover the biological basis of the many faces of breast cancer, and to work towards its prevention and cure, particularly in the Washington, DC-Baltimore, MD area.
The Pink Fund – Dancing with The Survivors 2019
The Pink Fund provides 90-day non-medical cost-of-living expenses to breast cancer patients in active treatment* for breast cancer, so they can focus on healing, raising their families, and returning to the workplace.
*Active treatment is defined by The Pink Fund as the period after positive diagnosis of breast cancer has been made, you have received a treatment plan from your doctor and will be receiving chemotherapy, radiation or a surgical procedure. A surgical procedure is defined as a single or bi-lateral mastectomy, lumpectomy, axillary dissection or sentinel node biopsy. Reconstruction does not qualify as Active Treatment.
Gilda's Club Metro Detroit – 11th Anniversary Bras for a Cause Fashion Show
Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit ensures that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. The organization creates welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer – men, women, teens and children – along with their families and friends.
Pink Cork Wine Tasting Silent Auction
The Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition’s mission is: To educate local, state and national legislators and the public about all aspects of this devastating disease: the importance of early detection, lifestyle changes, treatment, and research; To advocate at the state and national levels for increased breast cancer research funding, health care reform and breast cancer legislation that will be of benefit to all; and To serve as Georgia’s VOICE to END Breast Cancer!
Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation – Fall Benefit Luncheon
The Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation is one of the nation’s leading breast cancer research and education charities. It was founded in 1985 in memory of Lynn Sage, a Chicago-area woman who endured a six-year struggle with breast cancer before she died at the age of 39. The foundation's mission is to support the understanding, research and treatment of breast cancer in partnership with Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
Detroit Housing Commission - Pink Out 2019
Pink Out 2019 is part of the Detroit Housing Commission Resident Services Department by bringing awareness through educational programming, prevention, navigation to overcome barriers, and supportive resources to our public housing and low- income residents in the surrounding community. In addition to also celebrating current Breast Cancer fighters and survivors.
UT Southwestern Medical Center
The mission of Moncrief Cancer Institute is to provide the foremost science, resources and programs to reduce the threat and impact of cancer for the most vulnerable of North Texas. The foundation supports the delivery of the best care through early detection and support, advancements in research and treatment of cancer in partnership with UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation
Established in 1993, the MISSION of Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation is to provide social, educational, financial and psychological support services and programs to families of ALL children diagnosed with life threatening or critical illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell, renal, blood and immunologic diseases and to provide healing arts and wellness programs to adults touched by cancer as well as to chronically ill children and their caregivers.
The Caring Place, an adult services program of Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, is dedicated to easing the journey of those adults diagnosed with cancer as well as their caregivers. An oasis away from medical facilities, The Caring Place Program provides no-cost programs and services to support, educate and empower those who have or have had cancer as well as their direct caregivers.
The programs and services are intended to assist in healing mind, body, and soul and are not a replacement for medical care. We are committed to improving your quality of life and helping you experience joy and peace.
94th Annual Bud Billiken Parade & Festival
August 12, 2023 @ 10 am | Bronzeville Neighborhood
The Bud Billiken® Parade, the largest African American parade in the United States, is celebrating its 94th anniversary on Saturday, August 12! Garrett Popcorn Shops is proud to return as a sponsor to celebrate our Chicago South Side community and help kick off back-to-school season. It’s sure to be a celebration you won’t want to miss!
Juneteenth – Supporting Juneteenth Community BBQ
June 19, 2023 @ 10 am | DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Garrett is proud to partner with iHeartMedia Chicago to support and celebrate Chicago’s tx as they commemorate Juneteenth at their annual barbecue. Make sure to stop by the Garrett Popcorn booth and enjoy a bag of our world-famous Garrett Mix.
Pride Month - Chicago Pride Fest
June 17-18, 2023 | Northalsted
In celebration of Pride Month, Garrett is thrilled to join Chicago Pride Fest, a legendary two-day pride festival that takes place in Northalsted each June. Garrett Popcorn is for everyone, and the Garrett team is excited to meet fans at our festival booth with samples of our world-famous gourmet popcorn, made with love and shared with pride.
Women's History Month – Supporting Women Who WIN 2023
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Garrett supported iHeartMedia Chicago’s Women Who WIN Initiative. This program celebrates and recognizes extraordinary women leaders making impact in the Chicago community. As a part of this initiative, Garrett is gifting 5,000 bags of Garrett Mix to Chicago Foundation for Women and YWCA Metropolitan Chicago – organizations dedicated to empowering and investing in women. To learn more about Women Who Win, visit V103.
Black History Month – Supporting Brilliantly Black
Garrett is proud to support iHeart Radio Chicago’s Brilliantly Black initiative that highlights Black-owned businesses in Chicagoland. During Black History Month, Garrett will gift 5,000 bags of Garrett Mix to five local, Black-owned businesses and Black community organizations and help raise awareness for their inspiring works in our community. To learn more, visit iHeart Radio and see below for information on these local businesses.
Garrett returns to Sista Strut 2022 for 3K Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
Oct. 1, 2022 @ 10 am | Salvation Army Kroc Center Chicago
Sista Strut recognizes the strength of survivors and their family and friends while educating the community about the issues of breast cancer in women of color, promoting early detection and the search for a cure.
These efforts support the Sisters Network’s mission to increase awareness for the devastating impact that breast cancer has on the African American community.
Samples of Garrett Popcorn grocery bags will be available at the event and Garrett team members will join to strut alongside our amazing Chicago community.
Spreading Holiday Cheer with 93.9 LITE FM’s Edison the Reindeer
LITE FM’s Edison the Reindeer made visits to six Garrett Popcorn Shops this holiday season to help get everyone in the holiday spirit and spread the word about Lurie Children’s Radiothon. Not only was it the perfect photo op for families and children, but fans who stopped by during Edison’s visit received a special treat while listening to holiday tunes played from LITE FM.
We Believe Black Lives Matter – We Stand With Our Black Fans And Employees
At Garrett Popcorn Shops, we pride ourselves on selling not just “popcorn.” We stand for the best of family traditions, handed across generations. To stand for family, we must continue to stand for all races, creeds, colors, ages, and genders. We stand for moments of joy and celebration. To stand for joy and celebration, we must continue to stand for the fight against all hate, discrimination, and violence.
While not understating the work before us, we must do better. Together.
Garrett Popcorn Shops is committed to continuing an open dialogue with fans and employees to ensure that we break this cycle of racism and injustice.
Supporting Healthcare Professionals
Covid-19 highlighted the brave and necessary work that our healthcare professionals and frontline workers do every day. Garrett Popcorn Shops has a long tradition of donating Garrett Mix® to healthcare professionals in Chicago, including those working at Lurie Children’s Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In the spring of 2020, we also contributed to Advocate Children’s Hospital, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital, and Rush University Medical Center.
70th Anniversary – Celebrating Our Fans
The traditional gift for a 70th anniversary is platinum, but Garrett Popcorn Shops celebrated with our blue signature stripes® and a party for the fans! In collaboration with the artist, Rahmaan Statik, and the After School Matters program, we used the milestone to highlight the importance of access to arts & education resources in Chicago. The event was inspired by an earlier project completed at our 87th & S Cottage Grove Shop. Stop by Water Tower Place, 625 N Michigan or 151 N Michigan to see the artwork that celebrates our fans and our community.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
The Garrett Team volunteered their time and talents to Ronald McDonald House in Chicago to curate, cook, and serve lunch to the families staying in the house.