Aussie shoppers have raised more than $1.8 million in Coles’ Christmas Appeal to help food rescue organisation SecondBite provide the equivalent of more than nine million meals to feed vulnerable Australians. Coles Executive General Manager Supermarket Operations, Claire Lauber, thanked customers for embracing the Christmas spirit and giving generously this festive season. SecondBite CEO Steve Clifford said this year’s fundraising support from Coles and its customers had been incredible and would go a long way towards helping disadvantaged people and community organisations.
Lauber said that as part of the annual Coles SecondBite Christmas Appeal, customers and team members at Coles supermarkets, Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market and Vintage Cellars nationwide donated generously to help SecondBite continue its essential work of rescuing and delivering unsold edible food to over 1100 community organisations across Australia. Lauber also pointed out that to kickstart this year’s Christmas Appeal, Coles donated 5,000 Christmas hams to SecondBite to distribute to community food charities across Australia to help struggling families and community organisations host festive Christmas gatherings.




“It’s been another fantastic year of support from Coles and its customers,” Clifford commented “While difficulties faced by our most vulnerable Australians continue to hit hard, we have been able to step up our food relief each time – whether it be to distribute the 5,000 hams donated by Coles to add festive cheer to Christmas tables around the country, or distribute additional bulk donations to support flood ravaged communities along the east coast.”
“The work SecondBite does to feed Aussies in need is so important, and together with our team members and customers, Coles is proud to have raised over $1.8 million in this year’s Christmas Appeal,” Lauber commented “We are so grateful for our customers’ support and thank them for digging deep to help bring joy to those doing it tough this Christmas.”
Lauber said that since 2011, Coles and its customers have helped SecondBite to provide the equivalent of more than 190 million meals for Aussies in need. Throughout the year, more than 800 Coles supermarkets and distribution centres donate unsold, edible food to SecondBite and its network of around 1100 food relief and community organisations across Australia.