SPAR operators worldwide have shown consistent commitment to supporting their local communities in various ways throughout the year. The festive season offers a unique chance to provide even greater support to those in need, particularly during challenging times. In this article, we showcase some of the impactful initiatives undertaken by SPAR organisations across various countries.

SPAR Slovenia collects food for people in need

For the 14th year, SPAR Slovenia is partnering with the charity Ana’s Star for the traditional December campaign ‘Let’s Help Together’. The goal is to collect long-life food products and personal care items for families and individuals in need. The campaign runs from 1 to 31 December 2025. Customers can easily donate by placing items in the yellow-marked Ana’s Star trolleys in SPAR and INTERSPAR stores nationwide.

This year, SPAR Slovenia will also donate €5,000 to Truhoma, a charity platform that uses innovative technology to make donations 100% transparent and traceable. Last year, SPAR Slovenia customers generously donated 14 tons of food products during the campaign.

SPAR Denmark drives customers home for Christmas

For the ninth time, SPAR Denmark is offering 1,600 Danes a free ride home for Christmas. Through more than 40 Christmas-decorated buses, SPAR Denmark provides a great alternative to public transport. On 22 December, the buses will operate 43 routes across the country, stopping 140 times. This initiative demonstrates SPAR Denmark’s commitment to giving back to its communities and is especially popular among students and families with limited resources.

SPAR Austria trainees ‘on tour’ for humanity

The ‘SPAR on Tour’ initiative is a SPAR Austria apprentice project that focuses on a good cause. On 9 December, SPAR Austria apprentices took over the management of the holiday-themed INTERSPAR food truck at EUROSPAR supermarket Viktring. The trainees from Carinthia turned the car park into a festive meeting spot full of Christmas spirit and youthful energy.

Guests enjoyed seasonal treats like mulled wine, hot dogs, and more. All proceeds go to the ‘Licht ins Dunkel’ charity, which supports people with physical, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities, as well as families in need across Austria.

SPAR France makes Christmas special for seniors

Casino Group, the SPAR licensed organisation in France, is once again supporting the charity ‘Petits Frères des Pauvres’. This organisation works to fight isolation and loneliness among elderly people, especially those in need.

From 1 to 28 December, customers in 149 SPAR branded stores nationwide can donate through Arrondi Solidaire, a micro-donation initiative that lets shoppers round up their purchase total upon checking out to support charities. Thanks to these donations, the charity can continue helping isolated elderly people throughout the year and make Christmas special with festive meals and gourmet packages.

SPAR Northern Ireland supports Tearfund’s £1 million festive appeal to empower women

SPAR and EUROSPAR retailers in Northern Ireland support Tearfund’s annual festive appeal, ‘Give the Greatest Gift This Christmas’, aiming to raise £1,000,000 to help women access education in the Central African Republic and beyond. Tearfund is a Christian charity to tackle poverty in some of the poorest countries in the world.

SPAR Northern Ireland has committed to match donations up to £500,000, working with supporters, shoppers and store teams to reach the million-pound milestone. This year’s appeal focuses on women in the Central African Republic, where three in four women cannot read or write. Literacy is a powerful tool to help families overcome poverty and build a better future.

SPAR Hungary’s ‘Joy to Give’ Christmas charity campaign

In partnership with the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, SPAR Hungary’s ‘Joy to Give campaign’ helps bring Christmas cheer to those in need. From 28 November to 16 December 2025, customers were invited to purchase donation cards of four different values in selected SPAR and INTERSPAR stores or online. These contributions go towards 25,000 food packages for less fortunate individuals.

The 208 tonnes of non-perishable goods and 11 million forints raised were used by the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta to make 25,000 food parcels, which volunteers will distribute to families in need, elderly people living alone, and homeless individuals. The packages are delivered nationwide just in time for Christmas.

SPAR South Africa brings Christmas cheer to 1,200 children

SPAR South Africa’s Carols by Candlelight 2025 was a sold-out success, raising nearly ZAR1 million to bring festive joy to children and caregivers across the country. Thanks to ticket sales and the generosity of Jacaranda FM listeners, 1,200 children in 13 homes and organisations across four provinces will receive personalised Santa Shoebox gifts packed with toys, clothes, stationery, toiletries, and treats.

For the first time, the initiative also celebrated the heroes behind the scenes. 192 caregivers and staff members received special festive hampers as a thank you for their dedication. To mark Good Morning Angels’ 20th anniversary, each beneficiary organisation received R20,000 (about €1,010) in operational support, adding up to R260,000 (about €13,130) invested directly into communities that need it most.

INTERSPAR stores in Lower Austria bring Christmas Joy

Over the past month, seven INTERSPAR hypermarkets in Lower Austria helped make Christmas wishes come true for children and young people from local social institutions, including sheltered workshops for people with disabilities, youth residential communities, and women’s shelters.

SPAR Austria invited customers to purchase donation cards of four different values in selected SPAR and INTERSPAR stores or online. Every single wish was fulfilled, either by generous customers or, if any cards remained, by INTERSPAR itself. This ensured that all gifts are under the Christmas tree on time. The campaign highlights how closely INTERSPAR teams are connected to their communities.

SPAR Kosovo supports the “Run Santa” marathon

For the third year in a row, SPAR Kosovo is the general sponsor of the “Run Santa” marathon, a festive event that combines sport and solidarity. The marathon raises funds to help children with leukaemia and families in need.

This 10th anniversary edition of “Run Santa Claus – 10 years, one mission” highlights the initiative’s long-term impact, creating real social value and strengthening partnerships with local and international organisations.

Sources: SPAR Denmark, SPAR Slovenia, SPAR Austria, Casino Group, SPAR NI, SPAR Hungary, SPAR South Africa, SPAR Kosovo