Vance Jackson Neighborhood, Inc.

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Checkout Lanes at HEB (June 08 to March 09)


Introduction


Problem Statement:

"Do you ever look for purified water at HEB? Have you noticed the minimally and/or very suggestively dressed pictures of men and women on the magazine covers on the racks at the checkout lanes at HEB? Would you also like a purified experience at the checkout lanes?"

"My husband and I have a 6 year old son. We try to teach and model purity to him in what we choose to listen to, wear, and see, but since the beginning of the year as a gift from parenting, my senses have been increasingly awakened to this task. The grocery store checkout lanes became a sad place, and at the same time, a teaching opportunity to pray for conversions of hearts and minds. For months this was all we thought we were called to do."

"In early May, my son and I were at a grocery store in Chantilly, VA, named Giant. We saw a large sign hanging from the ceiling over a checkout lane that read 'This lane designated no magazines or candy per customer request'. We were so happy to see this!"

Full Problem Statement


Why VJNI is involved:

At our June 08 meeting, VJNI directors decided that this was an obviously good issue for the association to support and gave permission to Melly Trakas to solicit petitions. At this time, the association's only resource commitments are for web and mailbox uses. Since we pay for these services on a time basis, our support activities have zero incremental costs. In the past, VJNI has sponsored other worth causes, such as holding money for repair of the Summit sign at Tioga and Wurzbach. 		What someone in the VJNI association area can do:

[1] Print out the Individual & Family Petition
[2] Sign the petition
[3] Mail your signed petition to the VJNI mailbox.

(See mailing address at bottom of page.)

What an activist outside our association can do:

Download, print and copy our starter kit as needed:

[1] Instructions - Letter
[2] Multiple Signature Petition - PDF Version  |  RTF Version *
[3] Kids Petition - PDF Version  |  RTF Version *
[4] VJNI Web Site - Print Copy (10/1/08) +

* RTF Versions are easily edited
+ I've found having a hard copy of information, such as the web site, useful when collecting signatures

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March 2009 - Our Last Update


What about the Wurzbach Store in VJNI?

On January 23, 2009, I spoke with Ms Dya Campos, Director of Public Affairs at HEB Corporate. She told me there are no plans to remove the Family Friendly Lane (FFL) at the Wurzbach/I-10 HEB - it is there to stay!

This fulfills the original goal of our campaign, which has been hosted through the Vance Jackson Neighborhood, Inc. (VJNI) association. Thank you to all who signed petitions! Please continue to send in positive feedback via HEB Customer Comment Cards, and thank our Unit Director, Sixto Elizondo, and Store Directors as well. They listened and worked with us! Other Stores outside the VJNI Area?

What about having FFLs about other HEBs?

I wrote Mr. Charles Butt to extend the program system-wide, but have received no response, and Ms Campos has stated that other HEBs will need to have their own sets of signatures. It appears that HEB policies mean signature drives have to be focused, one store at a time. So, how important is it to you to have a FFL at another HEB?

If you are willing to 'Adopt A HEB', contact me thru VJNI email address, officers@vjni.org, for technical support in organizing your drive. I have found that, with church support, large numbers of signatures are quickly obtained from persons desiring a cleaner, morally nonpolluting experience at checkout lanes.

Melly Trakas, Member, VJNI

[VJNI Webmaster - If you target stores close to our area, e.g., the ones at De Zavala & I-10 and NW Military, VJNI can help with web support, if you like.]

All Status Reports


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References


Correspondence: Why we need petitions:
  • Magazines are an important revenue source for HEB and so HEB needs strong customer input to justify a change

  • Marketing Magazines & Books Excellence Awards - EXCELLENCE IN CHECKOUT MARKETING - Magazine Publishers Magazine
  • H-E-B, Kroger, Meijer Honored for Magazine Merchandising Excellence - AllBusines
Links to other similar efforts:
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Family Friendly Checkout Lane at a Giant grocery in Virginia

Family Friendly Checkout Lane at a Giant grocery in Virginia


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Pilot Family Friendly Checkout Lane at Wurzbach & I-10 HEB (Sep 08)

Pilot Family Friendly Checkout Lane at Wurzbach & I-10 HEB (Sep 08)

Higher Def - PDF Version



Vance Jackson Neighborhood, Inc., 10004 Wurzbach Rd Ste 192, San Antonio, TX 78230-2214
Email - officers@vjni.org