In just over two weeks, Coles' Winter Appeal for national food rescue charity SecondBite has raised more than $1 million, enabling around 5 million meals to be provided to vulnerable Australians.
The Winter Appeal was launched amid new research1 conducted by SecondBite that revealed nine out of 10 of its food relief charity partners surveyed across Australia had been impacted by Covid-19 and more than 80% had witnessed an increase in demand for food relief.
SecondBite CEO Jim Mullan said he was overwhelmed by the support of Coles and its customers.
"We would like to thank Coles and its customers for their continued support of SecondBite this winter. To have raised more than $1 million in just over two weeks is an incredible effort, particularly during these tough times," he said.
"The money raised will help us deliver the equivalent of around 5 million meals to feed vulnerable Australians, such as those who are unemployed, single parent families, people experiencing homelessness and elderly Australians."
Coles CEO Steven Cain said he was extremely proud of the way customers and team members have rallied behind the Winter Appeal.
"We are very grateful to our customers and our team for generously supporting such a worthy cause. At a time when so many people are facing tough times, SecondBite's role is vital and goes to the heart of Coles' purpose to sustainably feed all Australians and help them live healthier and happier lives," he said.
More than 765 Coles supermarkets across Australia now donate surplus fresh food via SecondBite to around 1,100 community food programs that provide meals to Australians facing tough times.
Coles has helped donate enough surplus fresh food to SecondBite to provide the equivalent of 114 million meals to disadvantaged Australians since 2011.
During COVID-19, Coles has also donated grocery essentials to the retail value of $7.9 million to SecondBite and Foodbank to distribute to vulnerable Australians.
TOP FUNDRAISING COLES SUPERMARKETS
NSW/ACT
- Broadway
- Wattle Grove
- The Entrance
- Eastgardens
- Bateau Bay
VIC
- Elsternwick
- Tarneit Central
- Dandenong
- The Pines
- Melton South
TAS
- Racecourse
- Mowbray
- Ulverstone
- Newstead
- Sorell
WA
- Flinders Square
- Midland
- Riverton
- Ocean Keys
- Whitford
QLD
- Fairfield Central
- Benowa Village
- The Pines
- Alderly
- Coomera City Central
SA/NT
- Firle
- Salisbury Downs
- Burnside
- Warradale
- Mount Barker
