Countdown helps Kiwi families in need

Countdown helps Kiwi families in need

3 May 2016: Countdown stores throughout New Zealand will once again be getting behind The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal to help Kiwi families in need.

Customers will be able to make donations to the Red Shield Appeal at the checkout, or to The Salvation Army volunteers who will be collecting outside Countdown stores during throughout the Appeal from 26 April to 17 May.

Countdown Head of Corporate Affairs, James Walker, says “we’re proud of the work we do nationwide with The Salvation Army to help those in need.

“The Red Shield Appeal is a major fundraising activity that enables The Salvation Army to help Kiwis in need – we’re proud to once again support them this year.”

Major Pam Waugh National Secretary of Social Services for The Salvation Army says the generous donations received from Countdown customers help to provide much-needed support services. This includes life-skills programmes and budgeting advice, as well as emergency help with food and clothing.

“The Red Shield Appeal helps to support The Salvation Army’s Community Ministries that help those Kiwis who find themselves in desperate need.

“We’d encourage Kiwis to help us catch those falling into desperate need so we can keep providing these essential services. We are very grateful to the more than 180 Countdown stores that support us by collecting for the Appeal,” says Major Waugh.

For those unable to make it in store, donations can also be made online at salvationarmy.org.nz/redshieldappeal

More than 180 Countdown stores support The Salvation Army, through the Countdown Food Rescue Programme. Last year, the Countdown Food Rescue Programme saw $3.5 million worth of food donated to food banks around the country to help Kiwi families in need.

Countdown has also partnered with The Salvation Army on The Foodbank Project, a not-for-profit online grocery store that enables food to be quickly, easily and securely donated online to fill Salvation Army food parcels. People can donate online at www.foodbank.org.nz.

You can help by donating in the following ways:

· At your local Countdown checkout

· With a local Salvation Army collector

· At salvationarmy.org.nz/redshieldappeal or foodbank.org.nz

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