Mars Ireland has announced a new three year partnership with SOS Children’s Villages for the ‘Chew for Change’ initiative, through the Mars’ Extra chewing gum line.
The campaign will run for 10 weeks from 15 August 2022.
Welcoming the launch of the new initiative, Nicola Forde, corporate affairs manager at Mars Multi-sales Ireland said that the company is "thrilled" to launch the new partnership here in Ireland and work with SOS Children’s Villages.
"We are also delighted to contribute to SOS Children’s Villages important family strengthening programs, which through poverty proofing initiatives such as education and community development programs enable children to receive the healthy and secure start to life that they deserve," she added.
"With both of these programs, SOS is making a positive and healthy difference in the life of a child and helping to build a better world for generations to come, which is something Mars Ireland is very proud to support.”
About the Programme
According to the confectionery giant, the campaign provides oral health care to children in Botswana, with funding also going towards the delivery of support programmes to vulnerable families in Chipata, Zambia.
Mars Ireland noted that it will make a minimum donation of €40,000 per year to SOS Children’s Villages, based on Extra units sold in the Republic of Ireland.
Together with SOS Children’s Villages, Extra runs the oral health programme in Botswana.
The aim of the project is to 'spread knowledge about good dental hygiene' to 16,000 children each year.
Strengthening Dental Health Awareness
Mars Ireland explained that the programme helps to 'strengthen dental health awareness among teachers, caregivers and other health personnel so that they can pass the knowledge on to children'.
The dental health project is entirely funded by Extra and donations made from the Chew for Change campaign will go towards everything from project managers and teaching materials to toothbrushes and toothpaste, it added.
Alison Wallace, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages in the UK, said, “The link between poverty and poor dental health is so stark and that’s why partnerships like this can make all the difference to children’s welfare and happiness.
"We’re delighted that this partnership between Mars Ireland has the potential to reach so many children”
Read More: Mars Ireland Launches 'Food for Change' In Partnership With FoodCloud
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