Foodland’s Community Kickback initiative supports local organizations

Amherstview Foodland is launching a new community support campaign, after the success of their pumpkinfest fundraiser last October, which saw nearly $5000 raised for the Lions Club of Amherstview.

The Community Kickback initiative will support local organizations each month with donations of a portion of the sale of a specific monthly product.

Each month Foodland will decide on a product, usually a pantry staple, and donate 10 per cent of the sales of that item to a local organization. The January organization is The Seniors Outreach Services of Lennox and Addington.

“The community has been good to us for the past 10 years (as owners) and we were looking for a way to not only give back, but to leverage our position to assist worthy local organizations,” said Jason Bellamy, owner of Amherstview Foodland. “We regularly sponsor events and teams over the course of the year and while that is important, it doesn’t foster the feeling of ‘we’re all in this together’ that we’ve been trying to put out to the public.”

“We feel that the best feature of a program like this is that it doesn’t involve a request for money,” Bellamy continued. “Customers can feel inundated with those types of requests but with our program they are helping simply by purchasing something they need. At the end of the month we tabulate the sales and cut a cheque for 10 per cent to the featured organization.”

And how does Foodland decide who do to donate to? They simply ask their community to make suggestions of worthy organizations.

Bellamy said their criteria is quite simple: Local (within Lennox and Addington), Non-Profit, and Benefits our Community. “We expect lots of suggestions and will try to help as many organizations as possible. We have promised the Lions Club that they will continue to be the benefactor for our Pumpkin promotion going forward. Every other month will be up for grabs each year.”

“Community Kickback is our way of saying thanks to our customers,” Bellamy explained. “Ten per cent of sales of an item (or family of items) can add up fast. We are planning on having this program in place as long as we own the store. This initial year will come with some surprises I’m sure, but we are quick learners and will make sure the benefactors are thrilled with the results.”

Each month the product selection will change as well. Bellamy says they will mainly be core pantry items from their own band, Compliments.

“We will base it on seasonal relevance to ensure that as much money will be going back out into the community as possible. For example this month is Compliments Canned Tomatoes. January = inexpensive comfort foods. Lots of folks will make a chili or casserole during the winter months. We also anticipate months when Lawn Bags would be ideal, or cases of water etc.,” he said.

“Our hope is to put as much money back into the community as possible”