Countdown’s 20,000-strong team are getting behind the Mental Health Foundation and other local charities to help raise funds for mental health services across Aotearoa. From 27th September, Countdown’s Food for Good Appeal for mental health will see its stores come together to support mental health charities with a grassroots focus – from local grief counselling, family violence services, youth mentoring, resilience training and more.
Countdown’s General Manager Corporate Affairs, Safety and Sustainability, Kiri Hannifin, says its team are the driving force behind this year’s month-long appeal. “With over three million Kiwis coming through our doors each week, our teams right across the country are seeing first-hand the impact that poor mental health can have on their communities. They can see that people are struggling. As well as this, some of our own team are doing it tough as well. It’s certainly been a tough 18 months for our people.
“Everyone has mental health – sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s not – and our team want to recognise this and do something to help.
“When we asked about what to focus on for this year’s appeal, our team were really clear about wanting to support the charities, organisations and causes that provide vitally important mental health services for people in their local area, whether that’s Timaru or the Tron. That’s why for the next month we’re asking customers to donate in-store or online, to help give Kiwis’ mental health a little boost,” she says.
Countdown teams were able to choose a local mental health cause or service to fundraise for, or they could choose to fundraise for the Mental Health Foundation, which provides services across New Zealand and is currently facing a funding shortfall of $4 million to meet the needs of the 1 million plus people who contact them each year.
Mental Health Foundation CEO, Shaun Robinson, says every little bit helps and is encouraging Countdown customers to get behind the appeal. “The last few months have been really tough for people and this year, for Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re encouraging Kiwis to take time to kōrero – whether it’s checking in with a mate, having a kōrero over some kai or saying hello to a stranger, a little chat can go a long way. And, having a chat over a cup of tea and lamington from Countdown will also directly help the work that we do here at the Mental Health Foundation.”
Customers can get behind the appeal at any Countdown store by donating at the checkout or by purchasing a packet of Countdown lamingtons where 20c from every pack is donated to the Mental Health Foundation. Customers can also donate online at: countdown.co.nz/foodforgood.
