In the run-up to International Women's Day on 8 March, SPAR Italy Partner Aspiag Service raised funds for local charities through its “The World Needs Women” initiative. Customers at participating DESPAR, EUROSPAR, and INTERSPAR stores, both company-owned and operated by independent retailers, could make a donation of their choice while paying for their groceries between 22 February and 8 March.

The donation, described on the checkout ticket as an item ‘For Women’, will go to four local charities that promote women’s health, gender equality, and wellness. A different charity has been selected in each of the four Italian regions where the SPAR Italy Partner Aspiag Service operates.

This year, the National Association of Volunteers Against Cancer (ANVOLT) is the chosen charity for the region Trentino-Alto Adige. In particular, the funds will contribute towards ‘A Window onto Life’. This centre will function as a warm, welcoming place, offering various rehabilitation activities to help patients and their families re-establish a sense of ease with their bodies, and help them tune in with their feelings.

The chosen charity for Veneto is Polis Group, which includes four social cooperatives that have helped people in distress for more than 25 years. In particular, the sum will fund the Purple Home, a welcome environment for women who have experienced domestic violence, and their children.

For the region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the funds will benefit the Centre for Referral, Care, and Research on Cancer (CRO) in Aviano. The funds will be used to upgrade the centre’s radiotherapy system, both in terms of hardware and software. These upgrades will ensure that radiotherapy becomes better targeted, making it more effective and safer, which will help decrease its side effects.

The chosen charity for the region Emilia Romagna is Casa delle Donne (Women’s Home). The funds will be used to cover the expenses for board, lodging, and basic expenses for women and their children at shelters run by the organisation.

“We are honoured to contribute in a tangible way to such worthy causes, by directly supporting four local organisations that make a positive impact in such complex situations affecting the lives of many women”, declared Fabio Donà, Marketing Manager at Aspiag Service.

Source: SPAR Italy

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About SPAR Italy

SPAR Italy was first granted the licence to operate the SPAR Brand in 1959. The first store opened in the latter part of 1960 and with it, SPAR became the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in the country. SPAR Italy, known locally as DESPAR Italia, licenses regional partners, all of whom work together to grow the brand across the country.

The DESPAR Partners operate stores under three formats: DESPAR Neighbourhood Supermarkets, EUROSPAR Supermarkets and INTERSPAR Hypermarkets. Many of the larger format stores are company-owned, reflecting the scale of investment required. While the majority of the company’s turnover is acquired through these larger format stores, the independently owned neighbourhood supermarkets remain a key part of the business.