Coles’ Winter Appeal for national food rescue charity SecondBite has raised more than $1 million in just over two weeks, the company says.
That translates to around five million meals for vulnerable Australians.
SecondBite CEO Jim Mullan said he was overwhelmed by the support of Coles and its customers. Research by the charity found nine out of 10 of its food relief charity partners across Australia had been impacted by COVID-19 and more than 80 per cent had witnessed an increase in demand for food relief.
Mullan said: “To have raised more than $1 million in just over two weeks is an incredible effort. It will help us deliver the equivalent of around 5 million meals to 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 1100 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.
