The Entrance Coles customers third highest SecondBite fundraisers in NSW

The Entrance Coles can give its customers a big red hand of applause after they donated enough money to provide 34,670 meals to support for those hit hard by COVID-19.

The Entrance Coles staff Richard Otoba, Rebecca Carnell and Rita Zaczek. The store came third in NSW for raising the most money for the SecondBite campaign where customers bought a card for $2. Photo: Sue Graham

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The Entrance Coles ranked third behind Broadway in Sydney’s CBD and Wattle Grove near Holsworthy in Sydney’s south west as the top fundraisers in NSW for the supermarket and SecondBite’s national appeal.

The Entrance shoppers raised enough funds to help SecondBite deliver the equivalent of 34,670 meals to local charities to support for those hit hard by COVID-19.

Residents raised more than $6900 by purchasing $2 donation cards at The Entrance Coles contributing to a national total of almost $1 million dollars.

The Entrance Coles were all smiles to learn the store had come third in NSW in fundraising for the SecondBite campaign. Photo: Sue Graham

Coles NSW general manager Emma Bridges said the outstanding generosity of customers would help SecondBite deliver the equivalent of more than 806,000 meals to people in need across the state.

“In addition to the funds raised during this appeal, Coles has donated grocery essentials to the retail value of $7.9 million to vulnerable Australians during COVID-19,” she said.

SecondBite CEO Jim Mullan thanked Coles and its customers for their continued support of SecondBite this winter.

“To have raised nearly $1 million in just two weeks is an incredible effort, particularly during these tough times,” he said.

SecondBite board member Matt Preston launches Coles’ winter appeal with the help of SecondBite CEO Jim Mullan, left, and Coles' Thinus Keeve. Picture: supplied

“The money raised will help us deliver the equivalent of 4.9 million meals to feed vulnerable Australians, such as those who are unemployed, single parent families, people experiencing homelessness and elderly Australians.”

The national appeal comes amid new research from food rescue organisation SecondBite which reveals nine out of 10 of their food relief charity partners surveyed across Australia had been impacted by COVID-19 and more than 80 per cent had witnessed an increase in demand for food relief.

The SecondBite campaign ran from June 17-30.