Exhibitors at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Total Store Expo, held August 27-29 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC), donated thousands of consumer goods to be dispersed to local non-profit organizations.

The NACDS Total Store Expo is the largest gathering of retailers and suppliers in the health and wellness industry, and donations included health and hygiene products such as medications, bandages, vitamins, cough syrup, and other first aid supplies.  

The donations were made through the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s (MCCA) Conventions C.A.R.E. (Community Assistance by Responsible Events) program, which collects clean, non-perishable items donated by exhibitors at the close of an event. Since its founding in 2010, the Conventions C.A.R.E. program has donated over 275 tons (over 550,000 lbs.) of goods to Greater Boston area non-profits. Local non-profits benefit from useful donations, while exhibitors are saved the time and expense of shipping goods after a show ends.

“NACDS supplier and chain members are committed to meeting the needs of patients and consumers — and to giving back to the communities in which they operate,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. “As the collective and collaborative will of our membership, NACDS is dedicated to furthering this commitment in the host cities of our meetings and conferences. We are proud to be partnering again this year with MCCA’s Conventions C.A.R.E donation program to help support communities throughout the Greater Boston area.”

“I would like to thank NACDS for participating in the Conventions C.A.R.E. program and for the generosity of their exhibitors,” said David Gibbons, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. “These donations will have a meaningful impact on the organizations receiving them, as well as the communities they serve.” 

Some of the non-profit social service agencies that are benefitting from the contribution from NACDS include:  

Condon Community Center and Elementary School
Gavin Foundation
South Boston Community Health Center
St. Rose of Lima Parish

“The MCCA has been a great community partner to us at the Gavin Foundation,” said John McGahan, President/CEO of the Gavin Foundation. “Donations made through the MCCA’s Conventions C.A.R.E program have been a great resource to our organization and this most recent donation of thousands of toiletries, personal hygiene products, and cosmetic products from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores will allow us to operate at our full potential and truly make a difference in the community.” 

# # # 

About the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)  

NACDS represents traditional drug stores, supermarkets and mass merchants with pharmacies. Chains operate over 40,000 pharmacies, and NACDS’ over 80 chain member companies include regional chains, with a minimum of four stores, and national companies. Chains employ nearly 3 million individuals, including 155,000 pharmacists. They fill over 3 billion prescriptions yearly, and help patients use medicines correctly and safely, while offering innovative services that improve patient health and healthcare affordability. NACDS members also include more than 900 supplier partners and over 70 international members representing 21 countries. Please visit NACDS.org

About the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA)  

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority owns and oversees the operations of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA, the Boston Common Parking Garage, The Lawn On D Powered by Citizens, and The Lot On D. The MCCA's mission is to generate significant regional economic activity by attracting conventions, tradeshows, and other events to its world-class facilities while maximizing the investment return for the residents and businesses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.