Our Co-op Community Fund has donated over £80,000 to 74 charities across our islands this year alone, and it doesn’t stop there. Thanks to our customers and members, we’ve been able to contribute to a whole host of inspiring community initiatives this festive season. Here’s a look at some of the charities and causes supported and the amazing work they do. 

The Salvation Army Christmas Lunch
On Christmas Day itself, the Salvation Army in Jersey are making a difference by providing Christmas lunch and companionship to people living alone, as well delivering food parcels to families who are struggling to provide a proper Christmas lunch. Your Co-op have donated £875 in vouchers to provide an added Christmas gift to those people.

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Age Concern Christmas Lunch
Around 120 people enjoyed a fantastic Christmas lunch at Age Concern Jersey on Tuesday 13 December. Six Co-op colleagues volunteered their time to help serve hot festive dinners- all of which included ingredients such as fresh seasonal vegetables and Christmas puddings donated by Channel Islands Co-op.

Closer to Home
Closer to Home is a partnership initiative developed by the Government of Jersey. They held a community event on 8 December in St Helier which focused on the current issues of cost-of-living and winter pressures. Co-op provided £400 (and bag packing assistance!) for shopping staple ingredients. The event was a chance for Jersey’s Public Health team to discuss strategies to help with eating healthily and shopping on a budget.

Foodbanks
Local charities, Grace Trust and St Vincent de Paul have each been received donations towards their foodbank provision. £1,000 in vouchers was donated to Grace Trust, while St Vincent de Paul were donated 10 microwaves and a chest freezer, helping the two causes to continue their outstanding care and support they provide for Jersey’s most in need.

Caring Cooks of Jersey
£5,000 was donated towards the amazing support Caring Cooks offer to families in Jersey. With food and fuel prices on the increase, the number of people seeking financial help has risen dramatically. Caring Cooks are supporting families this Christmas by providing vouchers for food and fuel, including vouchers redeemable at Co-op.

Les Quennevais School
The Senior Student Leadership team at Les Quennevais School worked tirelessly after school on 12 December to put together annual Christmas hampers. The hampers were given to the St Brelade Parish Hall and distributed to those in the parish who will benefit most. Co-op donated £350 towards the content of the hampers.

Care Leavers
Approximately £1,000 has been donated in the form of delicious COOK Christmas lunches with all the trimmings that will be distributed to recent care leavers to help provide some joy on Christmas Day. This is welcome support for islanders who are taking their first tentative steps of independence beyond Jersey’s social care and will help them to enjoy a hot Christmas meal.

And it doesn’t stop there, we have provided smaller donations of up to £100 in vouchers to many local charities, schools and community groups to support their community initiatives that help to make a difference. 

Community isn’t just for Christmas! As we look ahead to 2023, support for charities and causes here in the Channel Islands continues, with applications for our Co-op Community Fund Spring pay-out welcome. Need a helping hand with a community, charity, or eco project? Find out more on our Community Fund here.