Co-op moved to help The Big Issue through the Covid-19 crisis last week and now they are turning their attention to foodbanks, funerals and communities in need.
The high-street giant began stocking The Big Issue magazine last week, joining Sainsbury’s and McColl’s as we temporarily switched to selling in shops while vendors are unable to sell on the streets.
Now Co-op have set up a Co-op Members’ Coronavirus Fund to allow their 4.6 million members to donate their unspent existing member rewards to good causes.
At the moment, that means more than £30m is available to be funnelled into the fund. It is accrued every time a Co-op member buys one of the firm’s own-brand products or services, sending a five per cent reward to their online wallet.
It is hoped that customers will donate these rewards to give foodbanks a boost as well as funding funerals for those in financial hardship and helping community groups alleviate the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on vulnerable people.
Co-op CEO Steve Murrells is also donating cash to the fund, giving 20 per cent of his salary over a three-month period.