Press Release 17th September 2024

Together for each other - “Round up” now and support flood victims: all donations now go to the “ Österreich hilft Österreich” initiative

Continuous rain, gale-force winds and high water levels: the weather situation in Austria over the last few days has been dramatic. Numerous people, especially in the federal states of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria and Vienna, have had to be evacuated from their homes and tens of thousands fear for their livelihoods. From now on, customers in all REWE Group retail companies - BILLA, BIPA, PENNY and Sutterlüty - can contribute to disaster relief with a simple “round up, please” at the checkout; the money collected will benefit those affected by the floods until the end of the year.

Three people standing outdoors holding a sign with a red smiley face and the text "Aufrunder bewirken Wunder." They are smiling, with greenery and a road in the background.

Together with the “ Österreich hilft Österreich” initiative and the aid organizations involved, REWE is doing everything it can to help those affected, above all quickly and unbureaucratically. / Copyright: © BILLA AG / Robert Harson - Abdruck zu redaktionellen Zwecken honorarfrei, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

The "Round up, please!" donation initiative launched in 2013 by Caritas Austria and REWE Group (BILLA, BIPA, PENNY and Sutterlüty) is now dedicating all donations until the end of 2024 to support "Austria helps Austria"
In addition, REWE Group is tripling the expected donation volume from September in advance as an immediate financial measure for households affected by the storm

‘Together for each other’ - emergency aid totalling 75,000 euros

In addition, REWE Group is tripling the expected donations for the month of September to 75,000 euros in advance in order to provide immediate financial assistance to those affected.

Marcel Haraszti, REWE International AG Management Board member: "The recent storms have left devastating traces in many parts of Austria and have put numerous people in a situation that threatens their very existence. As part of our social responsibility, together with the “Austria helps Austria” initiative and the aid organisations involved, we are doing everything we can to help those affected, above all quickly and unbureaucratically. With the “Round up, please!” initiative, we are working with our customers to help directly where the need is greatest."

Anna Parr, Caritas Secretary General: "The storms of the last few days have caused severe losses and great uncertainty for many people in Austria. As Caritas, it is our aim to help quickly in such crisis situations. By earmarking the donation initiative “Round up, please!”, we can quickly implement necessary aid measures together with REWE Group. Every contribution - even a small amount - makes a big difference to the lives of the people affected." Caritas set up an Austria-wide flood hotline on Saturday to help those affected. The number can be reached on 05 17 76 300 seven days a week from 9am to 6pm.

Every cent counts: this is how rounding up works

Customers of BILLA, BILLA PLUS, PENNY, BIPA and Sutterlüty have the opportunity to round up the amount of their purchase to the nearest 10 cents (e.g. €14.63 to €14.70) and donate the difference at any shop in Austria. Every cent collected is used directly to support people in need. By saying ‘Round up, please’ at the checkout, donations can be made easily during the normal payment process. A ‘permanent round-up’ can also be set up directly at the checkout and in the retailer's customer apps.