Coles Christmas Appeal to support SecondBite food charity

Supermarket Coles has revealed how it will support Australians battling the cost-of-living crisis leading up to Christmas, with a major campaign to support those in need.

Coles will donate 5000 hams and help feed thousands of Australians as new research shows two-thirds of families are worried about covering the cost of Christmas this year.

As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, Coles will launch its annual Christmas Appeal on Wednesday to support food charity SecondBite.

Coles launches 60-minute ‘click and collect’ service as supermarkets prepare for Christmas rush

Coles boss Steven Cain tips strong Christmas trading as consumers face rising energy and mortgage bills

Flat wine bottle that fits in your pocket? Yes please!

All funds will help SecondBite rescue and deliver unsold edible food to about 1100 community food relief organisations across Australia.

Shoppers can support the appeal by purchasing a $2 donation card at a Coles supermarket checkout until Christmas Eve or by making a donation at Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market or Vintage Cellars store until December 13.

SecondBite is also supported by News Corp Australia’s charity arm News In The Community.

Award-winning food journalist and TV presenter Matt Preston, a SecondBite ambassador and board director, said support would be provided through cooked meals, food hampers and essential ingredients.

SecondBite board director Matt Preston and Coles ambassador Courtney Roulston launch the Coles SecondBite Christmas Appeal. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“This year has been very challenging for SecondBite’s community food partners, with nearly 40 per cent of organisations telling us they’ve experienced a significant increase in demand for food relief,” he said.

“With higher rental prices and utility bills, people are financially prioritising in a way they haven’t before. Parents are missing meals so that their kids can eat, and pensioners are skipping meals to keep their heaters or coolers on.

“That’s why the Coles SecondBite Christmas Appeal is so important. It helps SecondBite run its essential services of picking up food daily from supermarkets and suppliers and delivering to those who need it most.”

New research from Coles shows 60 per cent of Australians and more than two-thirds of families are worried about their ability to cover their needs as the cost-of-living rises.

Victorian charity St Mary’s House of Welcome will be one of the recipients of Coles’ ham donations. CEO Robina Bradley said the hams would be cooked for a festive lunch with vulnerable community members.

“As we head into Christmas and cost of living pressures continue to hit, the demand St Mary’s House of Welcome sees at our front door continues to grow,” she said.

“Many of the people we are seeing are more vulnerable than ever. The hams donated to us by Coles will go a long way in helping to ensure Christmas is a special time for our service users. It will be used to provide them with the type of festive lunch that many Australians take for granted, and, perhaps more importantly, it will help some of the most vulnerable people in our community know they are valued and cared for.”

Visit secondbite.org