Coles shoppers get behind 3BA appeal at the checkout

FOR the past five years Coles Supermarket manager Sharon Germon has rallied team members across four stores to support the 3BA Christmas Appeal.

This year the efforts of staff at Coles Ballarat Peel Street, Bakery Hill, Wendouree and Sebastopol resulted in a donation of food items and Coles gift cards valued in excess of $3,000 to the appeal.

Mrs Germon organises collection tins at all the registers and boxes at the front of the stores for customers to donate non-perishable groceries and toys.

The money donated by customers into the collection tins is converted into gift cards.

The four agencies responsible for the distribution of donations to the appeal – Uniting Ballarat, Anglicare, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society – are able to pass on the gift cards to the community in need at Christmas.

Ms Germon said, “The gift cards give the families the opportunity to buy food they like.”

“Our team members at the stores are familiar with the charities involved with the 3BA appeal, as we work with them on our SecondBite campaign, so they really get behind it.

“It’s just a way that we as a company can give back to the community.”

Appeal ambassador Peter Caligari said, “It’s donations such as these which enable less fortunate families to have an enjoyable and memorable Christmas.”