The Tesco Ireland Community Fund is set to play an increasing role in supporting local community groups across Galway. It comes as it opens its sixth new store in the county, in Athenry. When all nine new stores are up and running, Community Fund donations of €84,000 per year will be used to support more than 100 projects across the county. This funding comes on top of donations of over €200,000 to more than 700 community projects in Galway, since 2014.
Tesco is calling on customers and causes to nominate a community group or good cause in need of funding. Applications can be submitted via the online application form or in Tesco stores nationwide.
The Athenry store Community Fund will immediately support the local area with donations to three local causes in its first campaign, these include Blood Bike West, Athenry Brothers of Charity, and Adult Mental Health Services Athenry.
Now in its eighth year, the Community Fund continues to provide vital support to community groups across Ireland, and regularly welcomes applications from new groups.
Rosemary Garth, Communications Director, Tesco Ireland said: “We’re very excited to open the doors of our new Athenry store, here in County Galway. We are committed to ensuring that Athenry and all our new stores play an important role in local communities, and we’re looking forward to providing support to local groups and organisations through our Community Fund for many years to come.”
The almost 40,000 square foot store was officially opened by Store Manager, Seán Mulhern, who will lead a team of local colleagues. Sean added: “We are delighted to be open for business after a busy period of preparations, and it’s great to see customers coming through the doors. We’re really looking forward to meeting local groups and projects who need our support through the Community Fund over the coming months; where we’re always looking for new projects to support.”
As well as the Community Fund programme, Tesco also prioritises food surplus redistribution, as FoodCloud partners and OLIO Food Waste Heroes will be on hand to ensure no good food goes to waste at Tesco Athenry. The store team will also join Tesco’s continued efforts to support its charity partner, Children’s Health Foundation which supports all sick children in CHI at Crumlin, Connolly, Temple St, and Tallaght hospitals.
Tesco Athenry will offer customers an extensive range of quality fresh Irish foods and will also feature produce from several local Galway suppliers including Bowes Bakery, Divilly Brothers and Galway Bay Seafood.
The supermarket features customer favourite F&F which has a fantastic selection of adults and children’s seasonal clothing which is made to last.
