Pakenham Safeway customer service manager Libby Drake and staff Cheryl Lewry and Eve Bidgood with the donation tins for the National Drought Action Day.
LOCAL Safeway stores will donate next Tuesday’s profits towards drought relief.
Safeway’s Pakenham store has jumped on board, with customers encouraged to shop at the store on 23 January to help raise money for families in need.
Pakenham Safeway customers Service manager Libby Drake said staff in the store were keen to be involved.
“We have customers who come in from the farming areas, so we are aware of the importance of the cause,” she said.
Woolworths will donate its supermarket earnings to the Country Women’s Association (CWA) as well as research into sustainable farming practices.
Woolworths CEO Michael Luscombe said the Woolworths National Drought Action Day was expected to raise more than $3 million.
“Every Australian is starting to feel the real impact of the drought and, unless we act now, the unique rural heritage of Australia will be under threat,” he said.
Mr Luscombe said that with the decline in rainfall gradually spreading over eastern and southern Australia last year, all suppliers were feeling the pain.
CWA national president Lesley Young said the organisation was grateful to Woolworths for raising awareness of a critical issue.
“This initiative gives us hope now and for the future of Australian farming,” she said.
