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We will publicly report social impact to quantify the positive changes we are creating with a focus on health, economic development and emergency relief.
TOGETHER WE S.T.A.N.D.
Woolworths has supported The Salvation Army since 1954. Over the past five years we have averaged more than $2 million a year in contributions, with a further $3 million a year donated by our customers. Our ongoing formal partnership is called S.T.A.N.D. (Support Through Australian Natural Disasters) and provides natural disaster response, recovery and resilience works in the community. Operating at two levels, we collect year-round contributions, and provide a higher level of engagement if disaster strikes. We are continuing our commitment through staff engagement and initiatives such as volunteering at times of disaster and offering senior staff to act as strategic advisors to The Salvos’ operations.
Cyclone Debbie
The Queensland State Government asked The Salvation Army to play a key role in the Cyclone Debbie emergency response effort. The Salvation Army launched an appeal to provide disaster recovery assistance to households affected. At the peak of response efforts, they were providing immediate assistance from six hubs in Queensland and five centres in NSW. S.T.A.N.D.‑donated funds were used to provide direct assistance in the form of cash grants, vouchers, counselling services and goods to help those affected.
The Salvation Army continued to work with individuals, businesses, families and communities on the ground through local centres, community recovery hubs, and by partnering with government and non-government agencies. With the support of Woolworths, The Salvation Army recovery volunteers and local teams supported communities with immediate relief and assistance in the form of psychosocial support, as well as material assistance in the form of EFTPOS cards, various store gift cards and EFT payment grants. In total, the Salvos received $196,421 in registered donations. S.T.A.N.D. water raised $11,470, and $446,500 worth of Woolworths gift vouchers were handed out to people in need.
Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci, Salvation Army Chief Secretary in Charge Colonel Mark Campbell and S.T.A.N.D. ambassador Adam Goodes launch S.T.A.N.D., 8 November 2016.
LT. COL. NEIL VENABLES
NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY
"The S.T.A.N.D. initiative has been a way to bring together two brands that have a strong presence in local communities all over Australia. In 2017, we really saw the benefits of this strong partnership with ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie devastating communities in Queensland and Northern New South Wales. With the support of Woolworths, we were able to provide immediate on-the-ground support in the form of gift cards, meals to disaster affected people and emergency crews, and the manning of recovery centres.”
MAJOR BRYCE DAVIES
COMMUNITIES OF HOPE COORDINATOR,
SALVATION ARMY VOLUNTEER IN PROSERPINE FOR EX-TROPICAL CYCLONE DEBBIE
“A mother with four young children had spent the night trying to stop debris and howling winds from coming in through her smashed windows. When she came to the recovery centre and we handed her $250 worth of Woolworths vouchers, she just burst into tears. It’s so nice to be able to give something.”
As the fresh food people, we are passionate about using our resources and skills to partner with the communities that we are part of to improve the health and wellbeing of our customers.
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We will publicly report social impact to quantify the positive changes we are creating with a focus on health, economic development and emergency relief.
Foodbank
“Foodbank is Australia’s largest food relief organisation, providing 63 million meals a year. By our side for 15 years, Woolworths is the single biggest retailer donor of food and groceries, donating more than 15 million kilograms to date. With food waste in Australia being at dire straits, Woolworths has also been partnering with us to seek solutions to reduce this problem. From fighting hunger, to fundraising and sustainability – we couldn’t do what we do without the wonderful support of Woolworths.”
Brianna Casey, CEO Foodbank Australia
“Our partnership with Woolworths has opened up a range of ways to source the food and groceries needed in order to change the lives of vulnerable Australians. With the help of Woolies, Foodbank is able to capture fresh and staple food items, which ensures Foodbank’s warehouses all over Australia are always packed to the brim with delicious products. Woolworths has made a big impact, and for that, we can’t thank them enough.”
Phil Riley, Warehouse Manager Foodbank NSW & ACT
Woolworths Food Group Head of Sustainability Adrian Cullen and Brianna Casey, CEO Foodbank Australia.
Jamie's Ministry of Food Australia
“With a vision to lead the transformation of Australia’s food habits, it is through the support of Woolworths that we have been able to teach over 37,000 participants nationally how to cook from scratch using fresh ingredients. We have increased our participants’ skills, knowledge and confidence to cook and have provided information during the course on budgeting, seasonality and the health benefits of cooking” says Felicia Mariani, CEO The Good Foundation and Jamie’s Ministry of Food.
Woolworths has been integral to the success of this program by providing fresh ingredients nationally since 2014.
“This year alone, Woolworths has enabled participants to learn how simple it is to cook with eggs by donating 29,452 eggs. We’ve cooked over 6,423 omelettes and taught people aged between 12–96 years how to cook up over 3,205 roast chickens with all the vegetable trimmings.” said Felicia.
Learning to cook used to be a skill passed on from generation to generation. The success of this program is how it is changing the way people feed themselves and their families. With programs running during 2017 in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, we have connected with communities across the country.
