Press Release 21st December 2023

BILLA supports aid campaign "A spark of warmth" with 150,000 euros

When the days get shorter and the temperatures in the country drop, people at risk of poverty face additional challenges. Especially in times of inflation, rising energy prices make it difficult for people to heat their own homes adequately. As one of the largest local suppliers in the country, BILLA is aware of its social responsibility and wants to help those people who are affected by this. This is why the food retailer is once again supporting the "Ein Funken Wärme" ("A spark of warmth") aid campaign, which was launched by the Kronen Zeitung newspaper in cooperation with Caritas Austria in 2006, and is donating 150,000 euros.

Four people are standing in a grocery store in front of fruit displays, holding a large check for €150,000 from Billa. They are smiling, and there are various products visible in the background.

(f.l.t.r.): Peter Merhar (Senior Project Manager BILLA Sustainability), Katha Häckel-Schinkinger (Head of Communications and Fundraising Caritas Austria), Robert Nagele (BILLA Board Member for Real Estate & Sustainability) and Barbara Stöckl (Krone Ombudswoman) are delighted that BILLA, as a long-standing partner, is supporting the aid campaign with 150,000 euros this year. / Copyright: BILLA AG / Robert Harson, Abdruck zu redaktionellen Zwecken honorarfrei.

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At a glance

BILLA is once again taking part in the "A spark of warmth" campaign this year and is donating 150,000 euros to families in need
BILLA customers can also make their contribution and donate directly at the checkout in December as part of the "Aufrunder bewirken Wunder" campaign
Donations benefit people living in poverty in Austria who are unable to pay heating and energy costs in winter
As a reliable partner, BILLA has been supporting the aid campaign since 2008 and has donated around 2.86 million euros to date

The aim of "Ein Funken Wärme" is to cover the winter heating and energy costs of people living in poverty in Austria who would otherwise be unable to pay. BILLA has supported the campaign with around 2.86 million euros since 2008.

"Especially in times of crisis, quick help is needed for those who cannot cover their energy costs on their own. For the BILLA family, it is therefore a matter of course to assume social responsibility and offer those affected unbureaucratic and rapid support. This year, we are making a total donation of 150,000 euros available for this purpose and would like to thank our customers who support the 'Aufrunder' campaign directly at the checkout," says Robert Nagele, BILLA Board Member for Real Estate.

Barbara Stöckl, Krone Ombudswoman, is delighted with BILLA's willingness to help: "Since 2006, we have been working tirelessly with 'Ein Funken Wärme' to help people who cannot afford their heating and electricity costs in winter. Last year, we were able to provide more than 47,000 single mothers and fathers, pensioners, sick people and individuals with a warm home - and we were able to do this thanks to the support of long-standing partners such as BILLA. Thank you very much for the donation."

"In times of inflation, a warm home can no longer be taken for granted. That's why it's important not to look away now, but to once again focus on solidarity. Every donation helps to ensure that people in need don't have to freeze at Christmas. Many thanks to BILLA and its customers - thanks to your donation, those affected will receive the support they need. Every spark of warmth gives confidence," says Katha Häckel-Schinkinger, Head of Communications and Fundraising at Caritas Austria.

"Round up please": do good directly at the checkout

So that BILLA customers can also make their contribution to the aid campaign, they have the opportunity to donate at any BILLA and BILLA PLUS store as well as at BILLA merchants until the end of December as part of the "Aufrunder bewirken Wunder" campaign. If they say "round up please" when shopping at the checkout, the bill will be rounded up to the nearest 10 cents and will benefit "Ein Funken Wärme". As a jö Bonus Club member, customers can also round up permanently. This is possible at the checkout, via the BILLA app or at billa.at/round-up. Almost 60,000 permanent round-ups currently support families in need and the Caritas learning cafés in Austria and have donated around 1.7 million euros since 2013.