IGA and Foodland retailers have to date raised $300,000 to support communities devastated by flooding across NSW and Queensland. All funds will be donated to the Vinnies Flood Appeal.
This is thanks to IGA’s Rapid Response Plan, which sees every retailer donating and independent wholesaler Metcash matching this amount.
The retailer has also launched the IGA Appeal in-store. This allows customers to donate $2 by scanning a token at checkout to raise even more money to support those in need.
The funds from IGA have supported St Vincent de Paul Society open flood assistance centres across Lismore, Casino and Ballina. This is helping to provide essential services on the ground, including food, water, and financial assistance.
Chair of the IGA National Retailer Council Joseph Romeo says that IGA has been a long-time supporter of Vinnies so the decision to donate the funds to support the Vinnies Recovery Centres was an easy one.
“At IGA we are passionate about supporting our local communities and with so many of these people devasted by flooding it made sense that we offer support via our Vinnies partnership, in any and every way possible,” he says.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Regional Director – Flood Response Clare Van Doorn says the devastation from the floods has created a logistical nightmare.
“Our flood assistance centres, and $1000, $2000 or $3000 emergency grants are being made available to locals so they can meet their immediate and critical needs,” she says.
“It goes without saying, we wouldn’t be able to set up these flood assistance centres or provide the emergency grants without the support from our fantastic partners, like IGA.”
IGA stores are also working to supply water and other necessary items to first responders and families in need.
