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 stores in Western Canada collected $120,000 and 76,000 pounds of food for local food banks through their holiday 'Time for Sharing' program.
  • Sobeys Ontario helps make a difference in the lives of 1,000 families during the holiday season through a donation of $20,000 in gift cards to the Ontario Association of Food Banks.
  • The Sobeys Atlantic Holiday Food Drive raised $40,190 for food banks in Atlantic Canada through the sale of $5 and $10 bags of non-perishable food items.
 
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 and IGA grocery stores in Ontario surpassed their five-year fundraising goal of raising $1 million for the Canadian Cancer Society through their Communities for a Cure community fundraising events.
  • 21 Thrifty Foods locations in British Columbia raised $38,562 for a future without breast cancer through the Cure by Chocolate initiative benefiting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region.
  • Sobeys sponsored the TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes’ barbeque lunch in Edmonton, Alberta following the five kilometre charity walk benefitting Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
  • Sobeys' stores in Saskatchewan sold pink ribbons to raise $53,000 to support the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation's Centre of Care Fund in its fight against breast cancer.
  • As the official grocery and post-ride barbeque sponsor of the Ride to Conquer Cancer in support of the Princess Margaret Hospital, Sobeys Inc. supplied all the products for the finish line barbeque in Niagara Falls, Ontario serving the 3,590 riders plus volunteers. In addition, our stores along the route held fund raising barbeques to raise additional funds.
  • Across Québec, IGA stores teamed up with their suppliers to raise $570,000 during their Straight to Heart Campaign in support of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation.
  • Sobeys Atlantic is a proud supporter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's Atlantic region's Tour for the Cure; a pink tour bus that travels to Sobeys locations throughout the Atlantic Canada educating the public on breast health.
 
Supporting Those Who Help Others

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

  • As a corporate sponsor, Sobeys Inc. assists Kids Help Phone in raising funds through support of the Being There for Kids Dinner, which last year raised more than $1.2 million for this vitally important service.
  • Sobeys Québec offices, distribution centres and corporate stores raised over $222,700 for Centraide (the United Way) this year.
 
Funding the Future

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

  • Sobeys, Price Chopper and Foodland stores in Atlantic Canada partner with Breakfast for Learning to support child nutrition programs at schools throughout the region through corporate donations and in-store fundraising campaigns.
  • More than $50,000 was collected through Sobeys Ontario's Annual Charity Golf Tournament to support the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, a charity that helps children and youth develop the skills, knowledge and values they need to become fulfilled individuals.
 
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) and Tim Lee (2008).


The winner of the 2009 Sobey Art Award will be announced at a gala ceremony on October 15 at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.


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