- Almost $4 million provided by Woolworths Group in partnership with customers in the past year to help charities stand up immediately to support Australians in need during natural disasters
- Woolworths Supermarket and Metro customers can support by rounding-up their purchases in-store to help those impacted by the current flood crisis
Wednesday 2 March, 2022
Woolworths Supermarkets and Metro customers will be able to stand by the communities impacted by floods across the Australian eastern seaboard by rounding up their in-store purchases at the checkout. The opportunity to donate is now live for Woolworths customers in NSW and Queensland and will be available in all other States and Territories from tomorrow.
The money raised will go towards The Salvation Army - Woolworths Group's long standing natural disaster relief partner - in its efforts to support those evacuated from their homes through meals at evacuation centres, as well as grants and support for the recovery and rebuilding to come.
In the past 12 months, Woolworths Group, in partnership with customers, has provided almost $4 million via the S.T.A.N.D (Support Through Australian Natural Disasters) program to its partners - The Salvation Army, Foodbank, Rural Aid and Lifeline. These funds assist the charities to act quickly in times of natural disaster and support the long term rebuilding of the communities impacted.
With the contributions from the long term support of Woolworths Group via S.T.A.N.D, The Salvation Army has been able to provide more than 12,000 meals to date to those impacted by the current flood crisis and also to those working in emergency services. Woolworths Group teams have been helping ensure the charity's evacuation centers have enough food to meet the needs of evacuees. The Salvation Army is currently operating across several evacuation centres in Gympie, Ipswich, Caboolture, Dalkabin, Chandler, Logan, Lismore, Grafton and Tweed Heads.
Flooding continues to impact Woolworths supermarkets and BIG W stores across the region with road closures impacting the flow of stock and flood waters requiring some stores to close. Some purchase limits have been put in place for customers and contingency plans have been launched across the Group's distribution network to deliver as much stock as possible to impacted areas.
Brad Banducci, Woolworths Group CEO said: "Our thoughts are with all our customers, teams and communities that have been impacted by widespread flooding across the eastern seaboard.
"In times of crisis it is critical that we act quickly and work better together to support those most in need. Through our S.T.A.N.D program, our partners are able to stand-up the moment a natural disaster happens to offer meaningful on-the-ground assistance and support to impacted communities.
"Many of our team members are among those whose homes are flooded, and we've unfortunately seen more than 20 of our Supermarket and BIG W stores forced to close at some point because team members are unable to get to work or the store has faced flooding.
"We recognise how challenging this time is for our customers and we thank them for their patience and support.
"We know the coming days are expected to bring more flooding and the impact will last long after the waters recede. Our teams will continue to stand together with our customers to support impacted communities, as well as provide further support to our charity partners to help those most in need to recover."
Major Bruce Harmer, National Public Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army said: "The Salvation Army personnel are on the ground right now providing thousands of meals for those impacted by floods. In addition to meals, our teams are offering emotional support, which is well received by those displaced from their homes. With the support of our major disaster partner Woolworths Group, we can continue to meet the emerging needs of those who continue to be impacted by the devastating floods in South East QLD and northern NSW.
"We have seen in the past two years, through bushfires, floods, drought and COVID-19, the spirit of generosity shown in times of hardship. We are calling again on the Australians to help us be there for the incredible number of people displaced by the floods.
"Thank you to Woolworths Group teams and their customers for donations and assistance on the ground. We're honoured to stand with Woolworths in these difficult times for so many Australians in need."
Customers can also donate their Everyday Rewards dollars in increments of $10, which will be converted to a financial donation to The Salvation Army and any of Woolworths' other charity partners supporting relief efforts. Find out how at Woolworths Gift Cards. Woolworths Insurance has also pledged to donate $10 from every new Car, Home and Pet policy taken out in March to the S.T.A.N.D program.
BIG W is working with Woolworths Group partner Good360 Australia to help match much needed goods to charities and schools in local communities impacted by the floods.
