Over 3,500 local good causes have shared a donation of €1,000,000 so far since the launch of the Community Fund initiative in Tesco's 149 stores last year. Tesco has just announced that it is now calling for more nominations countrywide.
Over the last 12 months, customers' blue token votes have revealed what causes matter most to their communities, with almost 300 different types of causes being put forward for the fund. These nominations per county have shown that midlands customers are more conscious of keeping their towns tidy in comparison to the rest of the country, with those in Offaly backing a number of local Tidy Town projects within the county.
Elsewhere, the ‘home of hurling’ stayed true to its name with Tipperary shoppers backing more local GAA clubs than their neighbouring counties. Kildare backed up Conor McGregor's claim that this is the 'era of the fighting Irish' as its residents championed their local community Boxing Clubs.
In Munster, animal welfare causes topped the list in Cork while Clare shoppers swung their votes in support of community playgrounds. In the west, Mayo customers get top marks for their support of the local community schools. Meanwhile, shoppers in Waterford came together to help their local Community Centres that were damaged by a fire earlier this year, with customers of its five Tesco stores pooling their funds to support a renovation campaign.
Henry Dummer, Marketing Director Tesco Ireland said: “As one of Ireland’s biggest retailers, some people might feel we’re too big to care, but we’re big on the things that matter to our customers, community being one of them. And with 149 stores we have a unique opportunity to help thousands of community causes across Ireland through our Community Fund.
“Our customers are the driving force behind the initiative, deciding who in their community deserves a little help, and that’s why it works. So we would urge everyone to keep this going and nominate a cause that could do with a little boost or that simply deserves some recognition for the great service it provides to the local area.”
Tesco customers or colleagues can still support a cause that means something to them or their local community, be it fixing a leaky roof in the community centre or supporting running costs of a local hospice. Simply fill out a form, nominate them in-store and every eight weeks, three local causes will be selected for the Tesco Community Fund.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Niall Swan
