This Christmas, ALDI is strengthening its partnership with Barnardos to bring much needed relief to Irish families facing financial challenges. This year, the retailer will donate €40,000 in gift cards to help 800 families with their essential food shop and gifts in the lead up to Christmas.
This is alongside an additional donation of more than €40,000 from the sales of select products including Christmas cards, Kevin the Carrot plush toys and its popular ‘Merry Milkmas’ milk cartons. Through these gift card donations and sale proceeds, a total value of over €80,000 will be donated to Barnardos this Christmas.
In 2023, Barnardos proudly supported over 26,000 vulnerable children and parents in Ireland, providing essential services and creating positive change. As the demand for support across Ireland continues to grow in 2024, this donation from ALDI comes at a relevant time, allowing Barnardos to help more families across the country during the Christmas season.
Amárach Research Findings:
A survey of 1,000 parents, commissioned by Barnardos and carried out by Amárach Research earlier this year, found that almost half of parents (47%) said they and their children had gone without or cut down on one or more of heat, electricity, medical and food this year. A further four in five parents (81%) stated that cost of living issues had negatively affected their children and almost a quarter of parents (24%) have had to borrow money to feed their child in the last year.
ALDI’s support and additional donation will help Barnardos as it works to meet the growing need for support during this challenging time.
Kate Conroy, Head of Partnerships at Barnardos said: “Over the last five years, we’ve seen the need for our work grow year on year – families are struggling like never before. But we know that by working with a national partner like ALDI, we can support those most at risk, creating opportunities for access to targeted interventions, support, literacy and education as well as developing deep community connection.”
“We can work together to change the story for vulnerable children in Ireland today – because childhood lasts a lifetime.”
Rachel Nugent, National Sustainability Manager at ALDI Ireland said: “At ALDI, we’re committed to supporting local communities and the people that live in them. That’s why working with charities such as Barnardos and supporting the incredible work that they do is so important to us. Our donation this year will help support 800 families.
The gift cards in particular will not only help alleviate some of the financial burden of the Christmas season for parents, but they also allow families the autonomy to spend their gift cards on whatever they please, be that the Christmas turkey or on toys from the middle aisle for under the tree.”
About the Partnership
Since the beginning of their partnership in 2020, ALDI has raised over €1.8 million for Barnardos, consisting of cash donations, vouchers and gift in kind supports, helping thousands of families in the process. This Christmas, ALDI is encouraging customers to pick up one of the select products in store which directly support Barnardos. Whether it’s Christmas cards, Kevin the Carrot plush toys, or the ‘Merry Milkmas’ milk cartons, all products are available at ALDI’s 163 stores nationwide.
