Waitrose & Partners has donated more than £500,000 to local charities and good causes in Guernsey and Jersey through its Community Matters scheme.
The monthly scheme, which launched in the Channel Islands in 2011, is the longest running community initiative of its kind.
Shoppers are given a green token at the checkout which they can place in one of three boxes, each allocated to a different local cause. At the end of each month, £1,000 is shared between the three charities as a proportion of the number of tokens they’ve received.
Paula Protheroe, Branch Manager at Waitrose & Partners Admiral Park, said: “Waitrose is at the heart of local communities and we’re very proud to play our part in the Channel Islands and support those causes that matter most to our customers.
“The Community Matters scheme gives our customers the opportunity to choose a local charity or community organisation that they feel passionate about. The fact the charities change each month means the scheme has a wide-reaching impact in the islands.
“There are a huge number of charitable organisations in the Channel Islands doing amazing work in our community and we are pleased that with the support of our customers we can help to make a difference to them.”
In Guernsey the GSPCA has been the recipient of multiple donations from the scheme which have been put towards the building and maintenance of its multi-purpose animal welfare building. Partners from Waitrose have also volunteered to help redevelop the site which has involved gardening, maintenance and painting.
Steve Byrne, Manager at the GSPCA, said: “We are hugely grateful to Waitrose, their amazing team and their fantastic customers who have donated thousands of pounds to help the animals and the work at the GSPCA through their Community Matters scheme. Every penny donated makes a big difference.”
Beyond the Community Matters scheme Waitrose & Partners support local organisations and charities through food donations, sponsorships and volunteering projects.
Local charities and causes interested in registering to be part of the Waitrose Community Matters scheme can ask for more information at any Waitrose welcome desk.
