PAK’nSAVE partners with Variety – the Children’s Charity to double Christmas donations for Kiwi families
Variety – the Children’s Charity CEO Susan Glasgow and Foodstuffs North Island Head of Membership Experience Willa Hand
PAK’nSAVE partners with Variety – the Children’s Charity to double Christmas donations for Kiwi families
PAK’nSAVE stores across the North Island are teaming up with Variety – the Children’s Charity for its annual Christmas Appeal, matching customer donations up to $50,000 to help give the gift of food to families this festive season.
From 10 December to 24 December, every donation made to Variety through their Christmas Appeal will be doubled, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $50,000, through PAK’nSAVE’s commitment to be Here for NZ.
Here for NZ is a fund established by Foodstuffs to support local communities and help ensure access to healthy, affordable food.
Willa Hand, Foodstuffs North Island Head of Membership Experience, says the partnership is about backing families when it matters most.
“We’re really pleased to be able to give our support to children and families who are doing it tough. PAK’nSAVE stores will be matching customer donations up to $50k, which means their generosity will go twice as far, feeding twice as many children this Christmas.”
The Variety Christmas Appeal aims to meet urgent, basic needs for children living in poverty. Support received through the Appeal goes well beyond the holiday season, helping children with health, education, and belonging.
The 2023/24 Ministry of Health National Survey highlights the scale of the challenge, showing that 1 in 4 children live in households where food often or sometimes runs out.
“It is heartbreaking that for many struggling families, Christmas is not a season to look forward to, but a time of dread and shame. If you can’t afford to give your kids a lovely Christmas Day meal or a gift, then this time of year can be unbearable for parents,” Variety chief executive Susan Glasgow says.
Variety aims to raise $500,000 this Christmas to support families doing it tough, including those like solo dad Mike, who last year had just $14 to provide a Christmas meal for his family of five. With support from Variety, families like Mike’s can enjoy good food and a festive family celebration together. Customers can donate in-store at their local PAK’nSAVE by scanning QR codes on display, or online through the Variety Christmas Appeal. All donations will go towards funding PAK’nSAVE gift cards, which Variety will distribute to thousands of families across New Zealand, so they can save money and enjoy a Christmas meal.
PAK’nSAVE and Variety are encouraging New Zealanders to donate online or in-store from 10-24 December.
Foodstuffs North Island has partnered with Variety for the past five years, with Foodies team members also volunteering their time to help spread Christmas joy to the thousands of children Variety supports nationwide.