Countdown stores all over New Zealand are once again getting behind The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal to help Kiwi families in need. Customers are now able to make donations to the Red Shield Appeal at the checkout, or to The Salvation Army volunteers, who will be collecting outside Countdown stores during the Appeal Week.
Countdown Managing Director, Steve Donohue, says: “We’re committed to making life better for Kiwi families and supporting good causes that help to do that.”
“The Red Shield Appeal is a major fundraising activity that enables The Salvation Army to help Kiwis in need – we’re proud to support them.”
Major Pam Waugh National Secretary of Social Services for The Salvation Army says the generous donations received from Countdown customers help to provide much-needed supportive services such as life skills programmes and budgeting advice, as well as emergency help with food and clothing.
“In 2014, over 35,000 clients and 68,320 dependent children were helped by The Salvation Army’s Community Ministries, which are largely dependent on funding from the Red Shield Appeal.”
“We’d encourage Kiwis to help us catch those falling into desperate need so we can continue to provide these essential services and are very grateful for the more than 170 Countdown stores who are supporting us by collecting for the Appeal,” says Major Waugh.
More than 140 Countdown stores support The Salvation Army, through the Countdown Food Rescue Programme. Last year, our Food Rescue Programme saw $3.4 million worth of food donated to food banks around the country to help Kiwi families in need.
You can help by donating in the following ways:
- At your local Countdown checkout
- With a local collector
- At salvationarmy.org.nz
