In its second annual National Newsagent Week (19 to 26 September), Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) will launch its new partnership and campaign with Foodbank.
The campaign will see in-store community fundraising, not only during National Newsagent Week but beyond.
“The local community has always been the driving force of thousands of small businesses that we represent,” says CEO of ALNA, Ben Kearny.
“Like the communities we serve, the current crisis has impacted newsagents around the country in many ways.”
Mr Kearny explains that the theme of this year’s National Newsagent Week is Community.
“…and we want to use our platform to respond to the needs of many individuals and families impacted by Covid-19, and to provide support where it’s most needed.”
The donation drive will see participating newsagents offer special Foodbank Campaign tickets to their customers in exchange for $2, they will be able to provide 4 meals and $5, 10 meals for those in need.
Every cent of the donations go directly to purchase and distribute food to those in need in your state, and every $1 donated yields an equivalent of $5 retail value of food via Foodbank’s food procurement and relationships.
CEO of Foodbank Australia, Brianna Casey says: “We have seen demand for food relief across the country grow exponentially at the height of the pandemic, but we are so grateful for the amazing amount of support we have had from organisations such as ALNA.”
Mr Kearny concludes: “The main thing that has kept newsagents resilient to a degree, and one of the things we do really well – particularly in local communities, is that we promote quality human interaction and local knowledge.
“Friendly and knowledgeable staff are the most important attributes of newsagents; they know their store and they know what’s going on in their community.”
