Since our founding in 1989, ECRS has endeavored to harness the power of free enterprise to positively impact lives both locally and globally. We strive to live by our charitable mission statement:
To make the world a better place to live by leaving our families, communities, country, and world better than we found them.
Developing Software to Serve Independent Grocers’ Communities
We understand the importance of serving local communities and ensuring a strong, lasting impact for years to come. We continually develop software that supports independent retailers, helping them to keep the positive impact moving in their own communities.
Here are just some of the ways we support our CATAPULT Community:
- Round Up For Charity: CATAPULT enables retailers to easily implement a “round up for charity” campaign, allowing them to give back to charities in their communities.
- SNAP While You Shop™: CATAPULT is the only software that equips retailers with software that empowers their shoppers with the ability to check their SNAP balance while shopping in-store and online before they check out.
- Double Up Food Bucks: CATAPULT supports retailers’ participation in their state’s Double Up Food Bucks programs, ensuring eligible shoppers can maximize their SNAP benefits while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Healthy Benefits Cards: At ECRS, we are committed to providing retailers with the tools, guidance and support they need to implement healthy benefit card programs and accept SNAP/EBT payments, ensuring every community has access to nutritious food and choice.
Acting Locally
Our Community’s Strength Shines Through Hurricane Helene in Western Carolina
In the wake of the devastating Hurricane Helene, our team in Boone, NC proudly stepped up to support our community and the greater Western North Carolina region. Our dedicated employees delivered essential supplies, assisted with cleanup efforts, and provided unwavering support across the area. The power of community is truly remarkable, and we are grateful to be part of the resilient Boone community. Together, we have shown that in times of crisis, we can overcome any challenge.
ECRS Computer Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship Scholarship
Based in the beautiful town of Boone, NC, home to Appalachian State University, ECRS is deeply committed to nurturing local talent and fostering community growth. Our passion for supporting the next generation is embodied in the ECRS Computer Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship Scholarship. This scholarship is a testament to our dedication to advancing the careers of local students.
ECRS Scholars are provided with a wealth of opportunities, including mentoring, seminars, study groups, leadership workshops, peer-mentoring, resume writing, internship opportunities, and community-building activities. We believe in the power of education and community, and our scholarship program is designed to help students thrive both academically and personally.
Applications are accepted year-round, with new students selected every Fall Semester. ECRS is proud to support the talent and potential within our community.
Profits matter, but our mission is much larger in scope than simply making money. We want to harness the power of free enterprise to improve lives. We are very pleased to support so many great causes in the High Country and hope to continue making an impact for years to come.
Caroline Catoe
ECRS President
Organizations Served by ECRS
Building a Better Future: Stories of Impact and Legacy
ECRS Honors Essential Retailers with Holiday Donation
When everything shut down during the pandemic, our retailers stood strong for their local communities despite the fear and uncertainty. In honor of their sacrifice, ECRS has pledged to provide nearly 139,000 meals to those to those served out of our local Hospitality House Community Kitchen. This donation supplies 3 meals
a day, 7 days a week to those in need for all of 2021.
Striving to Make a Global Impact
More than a decade ago, ECRS formalized our goal for global impact when we joined forces with Maison Fortuné Orphanage Foundation, an organization devoted to the support of the Maison Fortuné Orphanage and Primary School located in Hinche, Haiti. Maison Fortuné Orphanage houses approximately 235 children, teaches about 300 students in its primary school, and serves more than 700 meals per day. Since 2008, ECRS has donated more than a quarter of a million dollars to the foundation.