Reliable transportation is important for low-income individuals and families looking to become self-sufficient, and White Castle Roofing in Nebraska recently ensured a single mother is back on the road.

Since 2011, White Castle Roofing — a Top 100 roofing contractor — has run its Grand Giveaway program during its busy seasons. Each month, the contractor selects three customers who paid for their roofing services in full to receive a $500 rebate, and in turn, White Castle Roofing donates $500 to a local charity in their name. The roofing contractor has given more than $1 million since the program’s inception.

One of the charity partners White Castle Roofing works with is Chariots4Hope, a nonprofit formed by the owners of an automotive repair business in Omaha. Chariots4Hope operates a referral-based program that helps individuals who have completed restoration programs to find transportation that will help them gain employment and be self-reliant. It gave away its first vehicle in 2014.

Jake Hansen, White Castle Roofing COO, said in the last year, at least three customers chose Chariots4Hope as their charity. A local auto dealership also pitched in, which allowed Chariots4Hope to donate a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country minivan to Vanessa Benson, a single mother of three from Lincoln, Neb., in late January.

“It’s awesome to see businesses like White Castle Roofing helping and impacting our community,” said Phoebe Hampton, area coordinator for Chariots4Hope.

Hansen said the Grand Giveaway is a nice incentive for homeowners, but at the end of the day, it’s all about giving back and helping people and organizations who deserve it. Even in a year where the pandemic has caused issues for roofing contractors around the nation, Hansen said they’ve still made the effort to help their community.

“We’ve done these things for at least the past nine years, and so whether the economy is good or bad, we want to do those things,” he said.

This isn’t the only way White Castle Roofing gives back. Each year, the roofing contractor provides a free roof to three households that are otherwise unable to afford a roof replacement due to difficult circumstances.

“We’re glad to give back and we’re always finding good ways to do it,” Hansen said.