Annual Christmas campaign
Thousands of SPAR shoppers were united in the annual ‘Joy to give’ Christmas campaign run by the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service and SPAR. The 2017 campaign, with the theme ‘For you it is food, for others it is a present’ was the 21st to be organised. More than 3,500 volunteers in 161 SPAR and INTERSPAR stores were on hand to encourage customers to purchase non-perishable food products to support people in need. During the six-day collection period, a record quantity of 309 tonnes of food products was donated by shoppers, of which 34,000 gift packages were made.
The campaign’s special opening event received favourable feedback from the public with shoppers getting actively involved. In the spirit of Christmas gift-giving, non-perishable food products were pre-packaged in festive gift-wrap. Shoppers mostly donated sugar, oil, canned and bottled goods, confectionery, pasta, flour and rice. The 34,000 gift packages were successfully distributed by volunteers of the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service to the beneficiaries before the Christmas holiday.
Thanks to the longstanding cooperation between SPAR and the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, donations can be made on any day of the year, through the Maltese donation card or Supershop points.
Watch the video of the “Joy to give” campaign.
Disability-Friendly Workplace award
SPAR Hungary has again received the Disability-Friendly Workplace award and was also presented with the Inclusive Workplace award for cooperation with Janka Tanya, an organisation in support of young people living with autism.
The Disability-Friendly Workplace award was launched by the Salva Vita Foundation in 2010. The aim of the initiative is to support cooperation between people living with disabilities and companies offering employment. After receiving the award, companies can use the Disability-Friendly Workplace logo in their materials for a period of two years. This year’s awards were presented by the Ministry of Human Capacities, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hungary, the Alliance for Excellence Public Benefit Association and the Salva Vita Foundation.
SPAR Hungary first received the Disability-Friendly Workplace award in 2010 and the biannual award was given to the SPAR Partner for the fourth time this year.
“Ever since its establishment, SPAR Hungary has considered the provision of equal opportunities as one of its most prominent objectives. We currently work with 150 colleagues with different working abilities. We focus on their integration and long-term employment,” said Márk Maczelka, Head of Communications.
New charity partner
As of this year, SPAR Hungary will therefore begin cooperating with Janka Tanya – a non-profit organisation that assists young people living with autism.
Janka Tanya aims to provide full-day programmes contributing to the feeling of success and enabling autistic colleagues to participate in social life. The staff of the INTERSPAR Hypermarket in Veszprém welcome young autistic people twice a week who, under the mentorship of their teachers, fulfil numerous tasks in the store.
Read more news from SPAR Hungary
About SPAR Hungary
The first SPAR Supermarket opened in Hungary in 1992, following the acquisition by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) of a majority stake in General Kereskedelmi Rt. Since its launch, SPAR Hungary has been actively involved in the development of the retail industry in the country.
The move to license independent retailers to operate the SPAR Brand has proven to be very successful for Hungary, with new stores meeting the needs of a larger number of shoppers.
