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 and IGA stores in Western Canada collected more than $70,000 for local food banks through their Christmas in July campaign.
  • Sobeys Urban Fresh Harvest for Hunger Food Drive in Toronto raised over $26,000 for Second Harvest to purchase fresh food for Toronto-area families in need.
  • The Thrifty Foods in-store Food for Families campaign helped raise $200,000 for 17 food banks on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
  • Sobeys Atlantic customers, employees and suppliers came together to raise over $1 million in food and cash donations for food banks throughout the Atlantic provinces in the first Fill the Food Bank. Fuel the Community campaign in December 2010.
 
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 grocery stores in Ontario raised over $70,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society through their 8th annual Communities for a Cure community fundraising events. Since the campaign started, Foodland has raised more than $1.3 million to support cancer research and local programs.
  • Thrifty Foods 3rd annual Cure by Chocolate raised $26,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, B.C./Yukon Region, an organization dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer.
  • As the official grocery and pit stop sponsor, Sobeys Inc. served over 4,600 participants and volunteer crew of the Ontario Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer in support of the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. Participants of the event raised $17.5 million in the fight to conquer cancer.
  • Since 2001, Price Chopper and FreshCo stores and employees have raised over $530,000 through their annual charity classic golf tournament in memory of colleagues who have lost their brave fight against cancer.
  • Across Québec, IGA stores teamed up with their suppliers to raise $570,000 during their Straight to Heart campaign in support of the Montréal Heart Institute Foundation.
  • Sobeys Atlantic is proud to continue to support the fight to end breast cancer by sponsoring Bust a Move, an all-day event of physical activity and fun to raise funds for the breast health centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Since its inception two years ago, Team Sobeys has raised over $50,000 for Bust a Move.
 
Supporting Those Who Help Others

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

  • More than $970,000 was raised by Sobeys Inc. stores, offices and retail support centres across Canada to support relief efforts in Haiti.
  • Sobeys Inc. participated in The Grocery Foundation’s Night to Nurture Gala as a corporate sponsor and ticket seller helping raise more than $2 million for the Toonies for Tummies campaign and Kids Help Phone.
  • Sobeys Québec offices, distribution centres and corporate stores raised over $245,000 for Centraide (the United Way).
  • Thrifty Foods raised over $50,000 for the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation through Jeans Day, 1 km Fun Run and Festival of Trees to help provide expert care for the province’s most seriously ill or injured children, including newborns and adolescents.
  • Sobeys West raised $67,150 through the Slave Lake Round Up, a promotion that allowed customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar to donate the difference to those affected by wildfires in Slave Lake, Alberta.
 
Funding the Future

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

  • Thrifty Foods’ partnership with the Pacific Institute for Sporting Excellence (PISE) has fed and fueled high performance athletes in their pursuit of Olympic gold since 2001. This includes contributing over $50,000 a year to support their day-to-day food requirements as they prepare for events around the world.
  • Sobeys West teamed up with KidSport Saskatchewan during KidSport month to collect more than $22,500 to support children from families facing financial obstacles to participate in organized sport.
 
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), Tim Lee (2008), David Altmejd (2009), Daniel Barrow (2010) and Daniel Young and Christian Giroux (2011).

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