SuperValu has announced Focus Ireland as its new charity partner this Christmas, supporting the organisation’s No Child Without a Home campaign to help families and children experiencing homelessness. The partnership will give SuperValu customers across Ireland the opportunity to donate their Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) vouchers directly to Focus Ireland. The charity campaign will run from 5th of November until the end of March, helping to raise vital funds for children and families in need during the festive season and beyond.
Since the launch of the DRS initiative last year, over 435 million containers have been recycled across 577 SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide. By donating their DRS vouchers, customers are not only helping to protect the environment but will also support one of Ireland’s most vital charities.
Funds raised through this year’s partnership will go directly to Focus Ireland’s services that support children and families experiencing homelessness. The charity supports over 18,000 people annually, including 4,500 children, through housing, prevention, and family support. This figure also includes individuals who receive support to prevent them from becoming homeless Services include access to long-term and short-term accommodation, one-to-one child support, therapeutic and educational programmes, childcare, and financial assistance for essentials such as transport, back-to-school costs, and children’s activities.
The need for these services is more urgent than ever. In just 4 years, child homelessness has risen by 135%. Homelessness hurts children the most and has severe effects on children and their families. Focus Ireland remains committed to providing proactive, tailored support to help families to secure stable housing and to, ultimately, end child homelessness.
Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu, said: “Supporting families and communities is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to partner with Focus Ireland to help families and children experiencing homelessness. There is even greater awareness at Christmas time, when so many of us are gathering with loved ones. Through their support of our DRS donation initiatives, our customers have shown that even small actions can make a big difference, not only helping those in need but also making a positive impact on the environment. It’s fantastic to see such community spirit from people across the country. We would also like to pay tribute to the late Sr Stan, the founder of Focus Ireland, whose compassion and generosity were truly inspirational. We extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues, and are proud to support Focus Ireland as they carry on her incredible legacy.”
Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland, added: “Focus Ireland is delighted to partner with Musgraves through the Deposit Return Scheme to take meaningful action against child homelessness. No child should have to grow up without a secure home, yet over 5,000 children in Ireland are currently experiencing homelessness. Every cent raised through this initiative will directly support our vital work to end child homelessness and give every child the stability and hope they deserve.”
The partnership follows the success of SuperValu’s recent partnership with AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity, where customers raised over €100,000 through DRS voucher donations.
