At Sobeys, we take our commitment to “Proudly serve our communities” to heart. That's why we're giving back to the more than 800 communities we serve across the country. This dedication to community service is closely tied to the legacy of the Sobey family and their continued commitment to philanthropic initiatives that play an important role in enhancing the lives of Canadians.

Together, we support many national initiatives that promote the well being of families and children - including health, wellness, education and scholarship programs. However, the major focus is placed on the local communities where our employees and franchisees live, work and generously give their time and talent in support of community events and causes.

Here are just some of the ways we've made a difference over the past year.

Helping the Hungry

Our passion for food extends beyond our stores and into the communities in which we operate. Every year we help feed the hungry by raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and donating millions of pounds of food.

  • Sobeys and IGA stores in Western Canada collected more than $409,000 for local food banks through their Time for Sharing campaign.
  • The Thrifty Foods in-store Food for Families campaign helped raise $274,000 through at-till donations over a six-week period over the holidays for 16 food banks on Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island and the Lower Mainland.
  • Sobeys customers, employees and suppliers in Atlantic Canada came together to raise over $838,000 in food and cash donations for food banks throughout the Atlantic provinces in the third annual Fill the Food Bank, Fuel the Community campaign in October 2012. Through this campaign, we have raised over $2.6 million over the past three years for food banks across Atlantic Canada.
  • Sobeys in Ontario provided over half a million pounds of fresh and non-perishable food to Second Harvest, a charity that picks up and transports food to over 250 social service programs across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Every day, Second Harvest provides fresh food for approximately 15,000 meals.
 
Finding a Cure

In an effort to help improve the quality of life in our communities, we are proud to support hospitals and organizations that are helping to find a cure.

  • Foodland grocery stores in Ontario raised $83,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society through their ninth annual Communities for a Cure community fundraising events. Since the campaign started, Foodland has raised more than $1.4 million to support cancer research and local programs.
  • More than $31,000 was raised at Sobeys locations in Saskatchewan during their annual Saskatoon Centre of Care Pink Ribbon campaign in support of breast cancer research.
  • As the official grocery sponsor, Sobeys Inc. served over 5,000 participants and volunteers of the Ontario Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer in support of the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. Participants of the event raised $18.1 million in the fight to conquer cancer.
  • FreshCo and Price Chopper raised over $113,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society through their annual Charity Classic Golf Tournament. Since 2001, FreshCo and Price Chopper stores and employees have raised over $640,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society in memory of colleagues who have lost their brave fight against cancer.
  • Across Québec, IGA stores teamed up with their suppliers to raise $570,000 during their Straight to Heart campaign in support of the Montréal Heart Institute Foundation.
  • Sobeys stores in Atlantic Canada are proud to continue to support the fight to end breast cancer by sponsoring Bust a Move, an all-day event of physical activity and fun to raise funds for the breast health centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Since its inception three years ago, Team Sobeys has raised close to $150,000 for Bust a Move.
  • Thrifty Foods raised over $84,000 for 13 local hospital foundations on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland through the Help Out One Buck at a Time fundraiser in 2012. Thrifty Foods donated $1 for each 4-pound bag of Buck Brand Citrus Certified Organic Navel Oranges sold, adding to the generous donations from customers, employees and the owners/operators of Buck Brand.
 
Supporting Those Who Help Others

Our giving extends to organizations and events that raise funds for a multitude of charities and causes.

  • Sobeys Inc. participated in The Grocery Foundation's Night to Nurture Gala as a corporate sponsor and ticket seller helping raise more than $2 million for The Grocery Foundation and Kids Help Phone.
  • Sobeys offices, distribution centres and corporate stores in Québec raised over $270,000 for Centraide (the United Way).
  • Thrifty Foods committed $300,000 to build a patient information library at the B.C. Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre in Victoria. Opened in early 2013, the Thrifty Foods Patient Information Library is designed to support individuals and families through cancer treatment by providing medical information in a home-like setting.
  • Thrifty Foods raised over $34,000 for the B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation through Jeans Day, the Thrifty Foods Fun Run and various store fundraising activities to help provide expert care for the province's most seriously ill or injured children, including newborns and adolescents.
  • Sobeys locations in Saskatchewan raised over $38,000 during the Helping Hands campaign for the Kinsmen Foundation. This foundation helps Saskatchewan residents access special needs equipment and medical assistance that wouldn't otherwise be attainable.
 
Funding the Future

We're helping children, youth and athletes reach their full potential.

  • Thrifty Foods' partnership with the Pacific Institute for Sporting Excellence (PISE) has fed and fueled high performance athletes in their pursuit of Olympic gold since 2001. This includes contributing over $60,000 a year to support their day-to-day food requirements as they prepare for events around the world.
  • The Thrifty Foods Young Chef cooking, nutrition and food safety camp provided over $80,000 in subsidies to 19 local recreation centres for kids aged 9 to 12 to participate in the program. Now in its fifth year, this camp is dedicated to providing children with interactive sessions about food choices and experiences.
  • Sobeys' partnership with the Corus Feeds Kids campaign raises awareness and funds to help alleviate childhood hunger in Western Canada. Through customer donations and corporate support, more than $29,000 was raised for local food banks to help nourish the bodies and minds of children.
 
Celebrating Canada’s Young Artists

Often drawing comparisons to Britain's Turner Prize, the Sobey Art Award is Canada's premier art award for contemporary young artists. Created in 2002 by the Sobey Art Foundation and with prize money totaling $70,000 ($50,000 to the winner and $5,000 to each of the four runners up), the Sobey Art Award was created as a means to shine a spotlight on Canada's emerging artists and the works they produce. The Sobey Art Award is organized and administered by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Past winners include: Brian Jungen (2002), Jean-Pierre Gauthier (2004), Annie Pootoogook (2006), Michel de Broin (2007), Tim Lee (2008), David Altmejd (2009), Daniel Barrow (2010), Daniel Young and Christian Giroux (2011) and Raphaëlle de Groot (2012).

For more information about the Sobey Art Award visit www.sobeyartaward.ca.