International Children’s Charity SOS Children’s Villages receives 3 Million rupees at International SPAR Congress

June 11, 2018 IN THE CATEGORY: Community, Responsible retailing

A major international donation was received by SOS Children's Villages of India in Bangalore, to help with their ongoing work supporting children and families in the country.

A major international donation was received by SOS Children’s Villages of India in Bangalore, to help with their ongoing work supporting children and families in the country.

The presentation took place at the conclusion of the 63rd Annual International SPAR Congress, which saw 300 senior executive members from 44 countries come together in Bangalore. They saw first-hand the developments taking place in the retail market, in particular in SPAR Hypermarkets in the city, in addition to attending the annual conference sessions.

The donation of 3 million rupees (€38,000) was made on behalf of all 44 SPAR countries in attendance, launching an initiative in keeping with the community-commitment inherent to the brand, and thereby leaving a legacy in the market in which this annual event is held.

SOS Children’s Villages of India work with communities and states to provide a loving home for 26,000 children who need alternative care and to prevent family breakdown. The SOS Children’s Villages of India is part of a large global network of SOS Children’s Villages present in 135 countries and territories around the world, having grown since its foundation in Austria in 1949.

During the Congress, partners of delegates had an opportunity to visit one of the SOS Children’s Villages in Bengaluru where they could see first-hand the excellent work being carried out by the charity to support children and their families through the provision of food, education, healthcare, coaching for parents and counselling and emotional support for families.

SPAR India have an ongoing partnership with SOS Children’s Villages. Last Christmas, SPAR India supported the charity through an initiative that saw SPAR India’s customers purchase from a pre-selected range of much-needed items as Christmas presents, available instore, which were distributed to over 7,200 children spread across 32 SOS Children’s Villages in 22 states.

Speaking about the donation, Tobias Wasmuht, Managing Director of SPAR International said: “As a global yet local food retailer, SPAR strives to add value to the communities it serves. The partnership between SPAR India and SOS Children’s Village is one which is appreciated by the global SPAR family. We are pleased that through this initiative, we can leave a positive, long-lasting legacy, making a real difference to children and communities in India.”

Applauding this generous support, Ms Anuja Bansal, Secretary General of SOS Children’s Villages of India, said: “Our partnership with SPAR India provides great encouragement to us and strengthens our resolve towards improving lives of once parentless and abandoned children under our care. The very generous support from the International SPAR Congress will give a big push towards empowering these children with quality education as well as opportunities that will open up their world. Our constant endeavour through our programmes is to equip our children with holistic development and integrate them in society. We strive to give them a normal childhood and opportunities to grow up and become successful, contributing members of society. I am confident that through this sponsorship, we will continue to grow our programmes from strength to strength.”

SOS Children’s Villages of India works with children and communities through two flagship programmes. The Family Based Care (FBC) programme is designed to provide loving homes to once parentless and abandoned children. Currently, over 7,000 children are impacted by this. The Family Strengthening Programme (FSP) prevents children from losing parental care and family breakdown and works towards empowering families to achieve better socio-economic conditions. Currently, over 19,000 children are impacted by the FSP.

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About SPAR International

 SPAR International is the world’s largest food retail voluntary chain with over 12,700 stores worldwide and global retail sales of €34.5 billion in 2017. The 2017 International SPAR Annual Report is available here.

 SPAR International unites and operates in partnership with independent retailers by working together to share global scale and expertise to enhance the competitiveness of its retail partners worldwide and build the SPAR brand internationally.

About SOS Children’s Villages of India

 SOS Children’s Villages of India, a non-profit and global child care organization, has been a pioneer in India with over 53 years of committed experience in caring for parentless and disadvantaged children and vulnerable families. With the inauguration of the first SOS Children’s Village at Greenfields, Faridabad by Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi in 1964, the organisation has grown from strength to strength and spread all across India with rapid expansion of its programs for children.

Today it impacts the lives of over 26,000 children and their families, through 32 SOS Children’s Villages, allied and community based projects like Family Strengthening Programmes, Kindergartens, Schools, Vocational Training Centers, and a Nursing School, spread in 22 states of India.

To learn more about SOS Children’s Villages of India, click here https://www.soschildrensvillages.in/

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