Creating Holiday Magic this Season Across Canada
It’s an old adage that still rings true; the magic of the holidays comes from creating special moments for others. In December 2018, Sobeys staff came together to support our communities over the holiday season to create some magic for those that needed it most.
This holiday season, Sobeys Inc staff took part in several exciting community initiatives such as Magical Wishes, Random Acts of Kindness, and an in-store fundraising campaign supporting local food banks and food programs across Canada. At Sobeys, we are a family nurturing families; committed to supporting and giving back to the communities we serve.
Magical Wishes
This past November, Sobeys staff voted on Magical Wishes to grant deserving charitable organizations some much needed funds and help. Our nearly 200 volunteers went beyond in making these wishes come to life. To them, we say thank you!
The Magical Wishes Chosen Were:
Random Acts of Kindness
From December 1-16, 2018, Sobeys Inc employees were given gift cards to “pay it forward” in their communities through Random Acts of Kindness. Store, warehouse and office employees participated across the country and stories about how the gift cards were donated throughout communities were shared online. In total, Sobeys employees donated more than $145,000 in gift cards with many heartwarming Random Acts of Kindness taking place.
Some Sobeys stores pooled gift cards to create 12 days of Random Acts in their regions, others supported a customer and their family living with a terminal disease, some created gift baskets for local first responders, and donated food for a local school breakfast program, to name a few. Thank You to everyone who chose to Pay It Forward!
Sobeys Raises a Record-Setting $2.7 Million
This year’s holiday check-stand campaign saw everyone getting into the holiday spirit by raising a record-setting $2.7 million in food and funds. This jaw-dropping total was raised through both the check-stand campaign and the Food Hamper Program that was rolled out in November 2018. Sobeys Better Food Fund also matched donations to a total of $250,000 on December 1 across the country.
Each month, over 850,000 people turn to food banks for help. More than one-third of those are children and youth. Sobeys launched several national holiday initiatives this season, along with a lot of great work happening across the country.
Special Olympics Canada
The Better Food Fund has teamed up with Special Olympics Canada to make better food possible on and off the field.
Combining a Commitment for Lifelong Physical Activity with a Passion for Nutrition
In October, 2015 Special Olympics was announced as the second partner of the Sobeys Inc. Better Food. Our three-year partnership centers on nutrition education and cooking skills in Special Olympics programs across the country. Through hundreds of programs, thousands of our neighbours – from 2 years of age to adults – will access nutrition guides, cooking classes and fresh accessible food.
Canadians with intellectual disabilities face staggering adverse health conditions, leading to increased risk of chronic disease. Fifty percent of people with intellectual disabilities are more likely to experience obesity, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. Nutrition education is critical to reducing the risk of chronic disease.
While many know Special Olympics from their games and competitions, this incredible organization is so much more than games. In small towns and large cities you can find a Special Olympics program for all ability levels. They provide resources that focus on basic motor skill development such as the Active Start and FUNdamentals programs, for ages 2 to 12. Community and school programs occur daily for athletes 12 and up that offer sport skill training in 18 different summer and winter sports. For those whose ambitions follow a competitive pathway, Special Olympics offers competitive opportunities at the local, regional, national and world levels.
The common thread in all Special Olympics programs, whether daily programs or Team Canada on the World stage, is the need for increased focus on the importance of good nutrition. To learn more about our partnership. visit https://www.sobeys.com/en/promotion/teamsobeys/. To learn more about Special Olympics Canada visit www.specialolympics.ca
