AUSTRALIA | Woolworths has marked a decade of partnership with OzHarvest as it launched its annual Christmas Appeal.
Customers shopping at Woolworths Supermarkets and Metro stores can support OzHarvest in various ways. This year's Appeal has aimed to raise vital funds to help feed Australians facing food insecurity during the holiday season and beyond.
“We understand it’s been a challenging year for some families, and while Christmas is a time of joy for many, it can also be a source of stress. Our partnership with OzHarvest has never been more important, and we want to help continue their mission this Christmas to unite to feed Australia and ensure no one goes hungry this holiday season,” said Woolworths Supermarkets Director of Stores Jeanette Fenske.
“With a shared belief that good food should never go to waste, OzHarvest has transformed surplus food from our stores into 85 million meals. We’d like to acknowledge the many thousands of individuals, from our own Woolworths team members to the OzHarvest drivers and volunteers to the leaders and volunteers of charitable organisations across Australia, who unite daily to help feed people in need. Thank you to all involved for your generosity to continue the fight against hunger.”
This year, two new donation gift tags have been specially designed to support OzHarvest. Customers shopping in stores can ask for an AUD 1 or AUD 2 gift tag at the checkout, which can be used when wrapping presents during the holiday season.
Customers who have spent over AUD 20 at the self-serve checkouts can round up their shop to the nearest dollar. This year, Woolworths will match all round-up donations to help provide even more meals for needy people.
Santa Cookies are also back in stores for Christmas, and 50 cents from the purchase of every packet will be donated to OzHarvest. Every 50 cents donated will enable OzHarvest to distribute a meal to someone across its national network of over 1,500 charitable organisations.
OzHarvest Founder Ronni Kahn AO said this year had been the toughest yet for the charities they support.
“We’re working hard with our national partner Woolworths, collecting fresh and nutritious food from over 600 stores across the country,” said Kahn.
“The 1,500 charities on the front line of providing food rely on these regular donations to help feed people in need, but many are struggling to keep up with demand. The OzHarvest Christmas appeal is crucial for getting more meals delivered, as every dollar donated enables us to deliver two meals to someone in need.”
