Coles has teamed up with Aboriginal corporations and local charities to deliver and donate more than 80 pallets – the equivalent of 50 tonnes – of food and grocery essentials to Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory.
Coles and organisations such as the Northern Land Council, St Vincent’s De Paul Society, Larrakia Nation in Darwin and the Central Land Council, Tangentyere Council and Purple House in Alice Springs will deliver truckloads of care packages to more than 2,200 community members impacted by the COVID-19 crisis across the Territory.
The packages
Coles NT team members have prepared the care packages. They include fresh and tinned produce, pasta, rice, biscuits and breakfast cereals. Ten thousand litres of spring water plus toilet paper, infant nappies and sanitary items will also be delivered.
Organisations receiving care packages from Coles will include Central Land Council, Tangentyere Council, Ingkerreke Outstations Resource Services, Atyenhenge-Atherre Aboriginal Corporation, Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation, Purple House, Wugularr, Northern Land Council, Larrakia Nation and St Vincent de Paul Society.
‘Passionate’ support
Coles Regional Manager Daniel Clegg says his team was passionate about supporting remote Indigenous communities who were severely impacted by COVID-19.
“The current situation in remote parts of the Northern Territory is critical and we wanted to do everything we could to provide some relief and support to those lacking access to essential supplies,” he says.
“Unfortunately, we know that many in the communities have been unable to leave their homes to access essential food and groceries at these times.
“By working with organisations such as the Central and Northern Land Councils, Larrakia Nation, and the National Indigenous Australian Agency, we will be able to deliver food donations to people who need it most, across many parts of the Territory, particularly in remote Indigenous areas.”
Mr Clegg adds that Toll Logistics, Blackwoods and Colemans Printing at Alice Springs were also instrumental in supporting the initiative.
Other support
During COVID-19, Coles is also donating extra food and groceries to the retail value of $1 million each week to Foodbank and SecondBite. This will allow them to support up to 3,800 community-based charities across Australia.
Coles employs more than 400 Indigenous team member in four weeks
Coles has recruited 430 Indigenous team members in just four weeks, providing much-needed employment opportunities at a time when many Australians are urgently seeking work.
The new hires take Coles’ total Indigenous workforce to more than 4,800 and marks a significant step towards the company’s target of employing 5,500 Indigenous team members by 2023.