23 Jan Franchises supporting bushfire relief
The bushfires that spread across large areas of Australia at the start of the year devastated countless individuals, communities and businesses. The franchise sector generously showed its support for bushfire relief efforts, raising money and donating goods and services to assist those affected by the fires.
Foodco’s fundraising efforts resulted in more than $90,000 being raised for charity.
Muffin Break’s commitment to donate $1 for every lamington product sold during January raised more than $65,000 to support the Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation (WIRES) in rescuing and caring for the innocent animals caught in fire-devastated areas.
Sales of 21,297 lamington products during January were matched with a dollar for dollar donation from Muffin Break’s parent company, Foodco, with more than $12,000 raise from in-store donation boxes and a further $10,000 donated by Muffin Break’s partner, Darrell Lea.
Jamaica Blue also raised $13,003 from fundraising efforts, with parent company Foodco also matching the amount, to support Australian Red Cross disaster relief efforts.
The Tabcorp Group, through FCA member The Lott, raised $1.8 million towards bushfire recovery and relief efforts through their Saturday Lotto Bushfire Benefit Draw on 25 January.
FCA members including McGrath Estate Agents, Ray White, RE/MAX Australia and Harcourts Australia came together as part of the Beyond the Bricks real estate industry initiative to support bushfire affected communities, raising more than $1 through the campaign.
Gelatissimo raised almost $50,000 for the St Vinnies Bushfire Appeal by donating $1 from every scoop sold on 18th January across their 48 stores and committed a further $50,000 to support Vinnies Australia in in assisting communities to recover and rebuild.
Chatime and its franchisees have made a $50,000 donation to the Australian Red Cross. In addition, until 31st March, Chatime will be running a ‘Round It Up’ program across its 124 T-Breweries across the country, allowing customers to round up purchases to the nearest dollar with every cent donated will going directly to the Red Cross to aid the people and the communities impacted by the crisis.
Fergusson Plarre have created a Gingerbread Firefighter to support the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. All proceeds of from sales of the Gingerbread Firefighters are being donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, with more than 29,000 being raised by the end of January.
Specsavers committed to donate $100,000 from sales in January to support Australian bushfire relief through the NSW Rural Fire Service, Victorian Bushfire Relief Appeal, SA State Emergency Relief Fund and the Salvation Army Disaster Appeal.
La Porchetta raised $9765 for the Victorian Bushfire appeal through donating $1 from every pizza sold on 11th-12th January.
Helloworld h donated 10 truckloads of hay (2000 bales) and 575,000 litres of water through the Buy a Bale charity, helping farmers impacted by the drought and bushfires.
Bakers Delight raised over $225,000 to support those affected by the bushfires through initiatives including: donating $1 from every 6-Pack of Hot Cross Buns sold to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund from 16-29 January, matched dollar-for-dollar from head office. Bakers Delight also provided bread and snacks to firefighters, volunteers, evacuees and animals in affected areas and donated bread to bushfire relief fundraising events.
PACK & SEND recently made a donation of $10,000 to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal and further donations have been made by PACK & SEND franchisee partners.
McDonald’s Australia have supported the bushfire appeal by: donating $500,000 to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, and matching employee donations; implementing in-restaurant donations; and providing free meals and bottled water to firefighters and community members in impacted areas.
Quest Apartment Hotels donated of $10,000 to bushfire relief and established a GoFundMe page to encourage further donations from franchisees, suppliers and other stakeholders.
JAX Tyres customers and store teams around the country helped to raise over $75,000 for the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. In January through donations from tyre sales.
7-Eleven committed $250,000 to support bushfire relief efforts, allocating this money to the bushfire relief efforts in NSW and Victoria, and for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation across both states.
Aussie Pooch Mobile Dog Wash donated a bulk quantity of blankets and toys to the Rescue Collective, while Aussie Pooch Mobile groomers washed fire victims’ dogs free of charge, donated money and helped out in any other way they could.
Nando’s committed $50,000 to Foodbank Australia to help provide food and groceries to those who urgently need them.
BNI Foundation Australia fundraised to support families with children affected by the bushfires, receiving donations from 10 different countries. The franchise has provided grants to families to help acquire children’s clothes, uniforms, shoes and school supplies so they can get back to school with the essentials.