Supermarkets look to spread the Christmas cheer

THREE major Australian supermarkets have launched their campaigns to help less fortunate people have a better Christmas.

Coles is offering Redkite donation cards to cancer charity Redkite, Woolworths shoppers can add a 50-cent donation to OzHarvest, and IGA is supporting the St Vincent De Paul Society.

Redkite predicts financial assistance for children and young people affected by cancer will be in higher demand this holiday season due to rising travel and living costs.

From now until Boxing Day, Coles shoppers can purchase a $2 Redkite donation card, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to Redkite, or a $1 Coles gingerbread man, with 20 cents from every sale going to Redkite.

The charity’s head of fundraising Isobel Lindley said cancer made Christmas a difficult time for too many families across Victoria and it was estimated that every day in December, a family in Victoria would be told their child has cancer.

“Unfortunately cancer doesn’t stop at Christmas and the pressure on families can be heightened when a child or young person is in hospital or very sick.”

As Woolworths’ national fresh food rescue partner, OzHarvest supports more than 1,000 charitable agencies across the country helping to feed vulnerable Australians.

More than 3.6 million Australians experience food insecurity each year and many agencies across Victoria require double the food to meet demand.

“For many families in Australia, Christmas will not mean a nourishing meal and an abundance of joy,” OzHarvest Victoria state manager Madeline Wilson said.

“Thanks to the Woolworths OzHarvest Christmas Appeal we can make sure good food gets to those in need over festive season and throughout the year ahead.”

Since 2004, IGA have given back more than $80 million to Aussie communities and is again supporting the 2017 Vinnies Christmas Appeal, to help those most in need.

All funds raised from the purchase of $2 baubles in any IGA supermarket will be used to support the good work Vinnies provides to local and regional communities across Australia.