About half of all Austrians are involved in voluntary work. Whether in non-profit associations or organisations - the work of volunteers contributes significantly to the stability of our country. Neighbourly help has also gained new importance as a result of the Corona pandemic. The "Day of Volunteering", which takes place worldwide on December 5th, is being celebrated for the 35th time this year and aims to draw attention to all people who volunteer. The aim is to make people aware of the necessity of their work and to recruit more volunteers.
Committed to the community
In addition to their work as local suppliers, numerous ADEG retailers throughout Austria are involved in community life on a voluntary basis. For example, they are active in local emergency services or provide them with refreshments after operations. They also organise child and ambulance transports, which are indispensable for the local infrastructure. Especially since the Corona pandemic, home deliveries of everyday products have become indispensable: "Without my ADEG merchant, I would no longer be able to be in my beloved home," says an elderly regular customer from Riedlingsdorf, who regularly uses the delivery services of the local ADEG salesperson.
Support for the entire region
The ADEG merchants are not only an indispensable support for the inhabitants of the communities. Through their close relationships with local producers, they support their home regions in a sustainable way. The goods often come directly from the village or the surrounding area. "Thanks to the short transport routes of the products, customers can not only buy healthy and good products from the region, but also do their shopping in an environmentally friendly way," says an ADEG salesperson. The regional focus in the ADEG stores enables customers to make their purchases completely local and to support the local economy.
Food donations for people and animals
However, it is not only by ensuring local supply and their voluntary commitment that ADEG merchants support their communities, but also by donating food to needy people and social institutions. For example, the Vorarlberg ADEG stores Wörndle in Sulzberg and Wohlgenannt in Feldkirch donate leftover food to the association "Tischlein deck dich Vorarlberg" or give it to local farmers who use it to feed their animals. Other retailers in Carinthia such as ADEG Hinteregger in Lendorf or ADEG Haller in Seeboden cooperate with the Association of Austrian Food Banks or donate to various food sharing organisations.
