Countdown and the Salvation Army have been working together for the past ten years to provide thousands of Christmas food parcels for the Food For Good Christmas Appeal. This year's appeal runs until December 11, and customers can donate products in-store in specially marked trolleys or online at the Foodbank Project. Countdown will match public donations up to a total of $200,000 to help Kiwis in need this Christmas.
“Christmas is a special time for all of us around Aotearoa, and every Kiwi deserves to share in that joy. We know just how much good can come from working together, which is why partnering with The Salvation Army is so important for our business - they do fantastic work to support the most vulnerable in our communities, and it’s both a privilege and very humbling for us to be part of that,” said Spencer Sonn, Countdown’s Managing Director.
“When we all give together, every piece of small kindness adds up, so anything our customers can give will help more Kiwis enjoy this Christmas to the fullest - whether it’s a special Christmas treat, or a can of fruit, it all makes a difference. To make the donations go further, we’ll also be matching donations up to $200,000.”
The most needed items for this year's appeal are fresh fruit and vegetables, roast chickens, milk and cream, gravy mix, stuffing, canned fruit and Christmas treats.
“The people we see at our foodbanks are doing an incredible job managing with the resources they have however, as we approach Christmas and the extra pressure this can add to families, we are looking to the generosity of Countdown and its customers to share some of the joy and festivity they may experience with their own families,” said Camille Astbury, Territorial Food Security Manager for The Salvation Army
“There are two easy ways to give. You can add an extra item to your regular shop and drop it in the donation trolley at the front of your local store or you can go online to The Foodbank Project to donate fresh items that will be delivered to a Salvation Army foodbank in time to be packed into our Christmas hampers.”
