Spanish supermarket chain Eroski has donated the equivalent of 6.5 million meals to the Spanish Federation of Food Banks (FESBAL).
Eroski and its customers raised funds throughout 2020, using different charity campaigns, such as the 'Céntimos Solidarios' (Solidarity Cents) programme and food donation drives.
The group donated a total of €3.3 million, providing meals to 2,400 families for a year.
Food Distribution
Food banks in each area will distribute the food products and other basic necessities to families left in a vulnerable situation due to the pandemic, the retailer said.
Director of health and sustainability at Eroski, Alejandro Martínez Berriocho, said that working with the food banks is an example of "initiatives that have been chosen by our clients and involve various entities, from those that work for children to those that fight against cancer or for the preservation of the environment".
He added that helping the community is a crucial part of the business, as set by Eroski's "principles".
Miguel Fernández, general director of the Spanish Federation of Food Banks, praised Eroski for its efforts "in a year that has been so difficult."
Céntimos Solidarios Programme
The Céntimos Solidarios programme, launched last year by Eroski, raised more than €675,000.
The programme allows customers to make an anonymous donation to a charitable cause when paying for their purchase by card or mobile phones.
The donation is a fixed amount that changes according to the amount on the customer's grocery bill.
For purchases between €5 and €30, 10 cents are donated, and for purchases over €30, the donation amount is 20 cents.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
