A painted mural wraps its way around the walls of Sterling Main Street.

At first the pictures of houses and stores look like any street front in any small town.

But a closer look reveals familiar Austin sites: the Hormel Historic Home, Wescott Field, Hormel Foods Corporation, St. Augustine Catholic Church.

Sterling Main Street and its owners, the Astrup family, started out in this community 50 years ago and continue to be involved in Austin.

"The community has given them so much, it's important to give back to the community," said Jody Orth, advertising and marketing coordinator for Sterling.

Many of the landmarks painted on the mural benefit from the store, such as Wescott Field renovation project.

"That's a symbol in Austin," said Orth of Wescott Field. "All of the Astrup children have grown up here. The grandkids are using that now."

But Wescott is just a small part of what the Astrup family donates to. From schools to churches and nursing homes to the Humane Society, the family tries to help as many different organizations as possible, Orth said.

Orth has donated to causes such as Packer Arena churches, schools and the national non-profit organization Caring Star.

The store employees also participate in local events and make their store available for certain causes. Sam Ewing, general manager, often decides if the store will participate in some events. Car washes, Salvation Army bell-ringing and Toys for Tots are just a few of the causes held at the store each year.

"It's important for the store because we're a local store," Ewing said. "This store was built for the community."

Employees also get a team together to participate in the March of Dimes every year. A team of 15 participated last year.

"It's important for the employees," Ewing said.

A few years ago Sterling Main Street tried to bring customers into its community involvement. Customers could get a card, much like the current 'C' card, that would donate 5 percent of their purchases to a local charity of their choice. However, the program was not as successful as the store hoped it would be.

Orth said lack of interest caused the store to stop the program.

"A lot of the organizations wouldn't even cash in their checks," she said.

Instead pharmacy customers receive 15 percent off their purchases. Orth said the store hopes customers will use the money they save to help a local organization or cause.

Community involvement also serves another purpose -- advertising and marketing, Ewing said. Through community involvement, the store is seen as a business that cares about their customers.

"We do things to make people aware of that," Ewing said.

Ewing is often the representative for the store. He has participated in the Salvation Army's Homeless for a Day fund raiser and brought donated toys to Austin Medical Center for child patients at Christmas time.

"As far as day to day things at the store level, we try to participate when we can and try to help out," Ewing said.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com