Staff at Aldi’s store in Kilrush have awarded a €500 grant to the Clare branch of Down Syndrome Ireland Clare Branch in recognition of its tremendous work and to help support its vital services.
The €500 grant, the latest contribution from Aldi’s Community Grants programme, was presented to Sandra Morrissey and her son Ethan of Down Syndrome Ireland Clare Branch.
Now in its third year, hundreds of organisations have been supported by the programme to date with over €200,000 donated by Aldi.
Commenting, John Curtin, Group Buying Director, Aldi Ireland, said: “We are delighted our employees have chosen to support Down Syndrome Ireland Clare Branch. The social, educational and developmental activities it provides to people with Down syndrome in Clare make a huge impact.”
“Supporting the local communities our stores serve is something that we truly believe in. Through our Community Grants programme and partnerships with both FoodCloud and Foróige on a national basis, we have been able to directly help many of the worthwhile charities and organisations making a huge difference to County Clare.”
Operating three stores in County Clare, Aldi is deeply involved in the local community. Through its partnership with FoodCloud, its stores in County Clare have donated over 23,000 meals to local charities to date, while as Foróige’s lead sponsor since 2015 it has helped support initiatives including the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards and the Aldi Foróige Junior Baking Competition.
Aldi’s Community Grants Programme provides each Aldi employee with the opportunity to nominate a charity, community group or not-for-profit organisation within their local community for support. Nominated charities are assessed according to a defined selection criteria, with the organisation deemed the most worthwhile receiving a €500 donation from Aldi.
Each of Aldi’s 137 Irish stores and two Regional Distribution Centres have been allocated an individual annual bursary fund and a “Charity Champion” assigned to co-ordinate the programme.