Coles will be donating the retail value of $1 million a week worth of food and groceries to Foodbank and SecondBite to distribute across Australia for those who are vulnerable as a result of COVID-19.
Foodbank and SecondBite will reach up to 3800 community food programs across Australia to provide relief for Australians facing hardship in the wake of the coronavirus.
“For many years, we have donated surplus edible food from our supermarkets and distribution centres but sadly we are hearing that an increasing number of people in our community are facing particularly tough times as a flow-on effect of the Coronavirus,” said Coles Group CEO Steven Cain.
“We hope that by donating an additional $1 million in food each week to SecondBite and Foodbank, we can help get food and essentials to people who are especially vulnerable at this unprecedented time.”
“It goes to the heart of our strategy which is to feed all Australians and help them lead healthier, happier lives.”
The weekly donation by Coles will run for an indefinite period and is subject to review as circumstances surround Covid-19 change.
Foodbank CEO Brianna Casey said the combination of bushfires, drought and the coronavirus had placed pressure on the charity’s food supplies.
“We are already assisting 815,000 people a month, but the need for food relief is skyrocketing at a time when donations of essential food and groceries are reducing,” said Casey.
“The additional donations from Coles will help ensure Foodbank can bolster its supplies to ensure vulnerable Australians can continue to be assisted.”
SecondBite CEO Jim Mullan also welcomed the additional food donations and said the additional donations from Coles’ supermarkets and distribution centres “will help us to reach an increasing number of people in need”.
