Loblaw Companies Limited is providinng $5 million in gift cards to certain food banks and community charities to help support Canada’s most vulnerable people.
It is providing the gift cards to Food Banks of Canada, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada and other organizations.
“Usually our donations quickly become a hot meal at a community food centre or a care package at a neighbourhood drop-in. With physical distancing some of those options have disappeared,” says Sarah Davis, president, Loblaw Companies Limited. “With a gift card in hand, someone facing hardship can visit a store to buy the items that matter most right then and there.”
Loblaw says in a statement that these groups are seeing growing community hardship, while also addressing the challenge of social distancing and increased food safety measures. Some are increasingly relying on grocery and drug store gift cards to help community members in need.
Through this new initiative, Loblaw will add an additional $5 million of value, to the $15 million worth of gift card purchases by select charities, increasing their buying power. The cards will be available for use in Loblaw’s 2,500 Shoppers Drug Mart and grocery store locations, including Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs and more.
