Press Release 29th November 2023

"A donation that satiates": BILLA with Austria-wide Christmas donation campaign for people in need

When the nights get longer, it gets cold outside and Christmas is approaching, charity is needed. Especially times like these, when rising prices and inflation can be felt in all areas of life, pose particular challenges for the poorest in society. That is why the BILLA family is once again taking on social responsibility and, together with the Red Cross's Team Österreich Tafeln and Hitradio Ö3, is once again launching an Austria-wide Christmas donation campaign.

Four people stand together in a store, with two wearing red jackets with reflective stripes. They are next to a donation poster. The background features shelves and a large fruit-themed mural.

(f.l.t.r.): Laura-Marie Krismer (BILLA Store Manager), Robert Nagele (BILLA Board Member for Real Estate), Eva Kimmes (Corporate Cooperation and Events at the Austrian Red Cross) and Manfred Kumer (Head of Philanthropy and Corporate Cooperation at the Austrian Red Cross) are delighted about the launch of the fundraising campaign to help people in need. / Copyright: © REWE Group, Abdruck zu redaktionellen Zwecken honorarfrei.

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At a glance

From now until December 23, customers can donate at the checkout in all BILLA and BILLA PLUS stores and do something good for fellow citizens in need
The amounts of 5 or 10 euros are used to provide those affected with basic foodstuffs and hygiene products
BILLA increases the donation amount
Donation campaign is a cooperation with Team Österreich Tafeln of the Red Cross and Hitradio Ö3

Under the slogan "A donation that satiates", customers have the opportunity to donate 5 or 10 euros directly at the checkout in every BILLA and BILLA PLUS store as well as at BILLA merchants from now until December 23, 2023. The entire sum will benefit those affected in the form of basic foodstuffs and hygiene products. BILLA itself is also supporting the campaign and is topping up the donation amount.

Robert Nagele, BILLA Board Member for Real Estate: "In the spirit of social cooperation, it is important to us at BILLA to support people affected by poverty in a targeted and meaningful way. In the run-up to Christmas, as part of the Austria-wide donation campaign, we work with our customers to provide help where it is directly needed. We are pursuing a low-threshold approach and integrating the opportunity to donate directly at our checkouts at BILLA, BILLA PLUS and stores run by retailers. We would like to thank all customers who take part in the donation campaign when shopping for groceries and will increase the donation amount again this year."

1,555,000 people in Austria, including around 353,000 children and young people under the age of 18, are affected by poverty according to EU-SILC 2022* (Survey on Living Conditions in the European Union) - and the trend is rising. Single parents, pensioners on a minimum pension, single earners and people in precarious employment are particularly affected by rising prices and are often dependent on food donations from social markets and food banks.

"Unfortunately, it is a sad reality that many people in Austria are affected by poverty. This makes it all the more important not to turn a blind eye to social problems, but to help. With its Christmas donation campaign, BILLA is supporting the Team Österreich Tafeln run by the Austrian Red Cross and Ö3. Thanks to the donations from BILLA customers, the people affected receive additional support in difficult times, for which we would like to express our sincere thanks. This sign of commitment and solidarity is particularly valuable and important at Christmas time," says Manfred Kumer, Head of the Philanthropy and Corporate Cooperation Department at the Austrian Red Cross.

*Source Statistics Austria at Armut - STATISTIK AUSTRIA - Die Informationsmanager