Freshwater Co-op shoppers most generous in the south

Generous Freshwater shoppers donated more goods than any other Southern Co-op store over the Christmas period, with 243kg of products collected for the Isle of Wight Foodbank. Their festive generosity was part of more than a tonne of products delivered to local foodbanks across the Southern Co-op network.

Southern Co-op is thanking its customers and colleagues for their generosity this Christmas following the success of a number of community initiatives over the Christmas period, focussing on supporting those affected by the pandemic.
From festive bouquet sales to reverse Advent calendar donations, more than £18,000 of funding and products have been donated to around 180 local charities and good causes through its stores and funeral branches across the south.

Holly Bramble, Community and Campaign Co-ordinator at Southern Co-op, said: “Despite it being a tough year, people still found time to give a little back at the end of 2020 which is incredible.
“Our stores and funeral homes are part of their local communities. Donations have included thank you hampers to local groups making a difference, gifts of food to help local families and Christmas presents for the homeless.”

One of Southern Co-op’s festive initiatives was raising money for NHS Charities Together by donating £1 from the sale of every festive bouquet. A total of £10,390 was raised, which will be added to thousands of pounds raised by organisations nationwide. The money raised by the campaign will be distributed by NHS Charities Together to NHS charities across the UK who will use it to provide the support that will make the biggest difference for the staff, volunteers and patients.
That could include providing hot meals and a place to rest for staff working long hours and specialised psychological support for those struggling with stress, trauma and separation from their loved ones.

Holly added: “One of the biggest surprises has been how much people donated as part of our reverse Advent calendar where people were asked to donate a different product for each day of Advent.
“To date more than 1.3 tonnes of tinned and packet goods, toiletries and treats have been donated to the local food banks we support. This will make the world of difference to lots of people’s lives. Thank you.”
Thousands of pounds of micro-grants are still available to good causes helping communities affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Organisations based near Southern Co-op’s stores or funeral homes can apply for grants using the Neighbourly website neighbourly.com/goodcause/ and using the referral code SouthernCoopPartner.