Supre Foundation extends their support of Beyond Blue

Supré Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Australian retailer, Supré, has donated over $150,000 for charity partners Foodbank, Vinnies and Beyond Blue, who are providing urgent, vital support to Australian girls and women impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since launching the three new partnerships in July, customers and team members from the Supré community have helped raise donations through product purchased and sold from the Supré Foundation range, which included a newly created collection of face masks and hand sanitisers to reflect everyday essential items for the current COVID-19 environment.

Founded in 2014, Supré Foundation is dedicated to funding and collaborating with partners that support and empower girls and women by donating 100% of all proceeds of Supré Foundation products to charity organisations with a key focus on mental wellbeing, women’s safety and shelter and equality.

Within eight weeks of fundraising, Supré Foundation products has seen a +10% YoY growth in proceeds, despite reduced customer traffic in shopping centres and stores in Victoria closed for half of the fundraising period to date, a reflection of the Supré customers’ desire to support the vital work of the three charity partners.

Today, Supré Foundation has also announced it is extending its partnership with Foodbank, Vinnies and Beyond Blue until the end of 2020, with the aim to help support more Australians through economic and wellbeing pressures as parts of the country navigate the longer-term impacts of the pandemic.

“Supré Foundation is so proud to be standing side by side with Foodbank, Vinnies and Beyond Blue to help create awareness and raise vital funds to support the thousands of Australian women and girls who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jodie Bongetti, Supré General Manager.

“We feel extremely grateful to our Supré community, it has been a demonstration of what can be achieved when women support women. It is only because of our customers and every purchase they make from our Supré Foundation range, that enables us to make a difference for women and girls who need it most”.

According to Beyond Blue, 1 in 3 women are likely to experience anxiety in their lifetime[1] and many people across Australia experiencing isolation, stress, anxiety, financial pressure, job loss and grief over lost loved ones as a result of the pandemic. Each month since March, calls to the Beyond Blue Support Service have increased between 40 to 60 per cent when compared to the same time last year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the mental health and wellbeing of many Australians, some for the first time,” said Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman.

“Every dollar we receive from the Supré Foundation will go to the Beyond Blue Support Service, which is staffed by skilled mental health professionals who are ready to provide free counselling, advice and referrals 24/7 to everyone in Australia.”

Foodbank has also revealed that women are 50% more likely to be affected by food insecurity than men[1], with more women unable to afford costs to feed themselves or their children due to increased financial burdens affecting many in this current climate. In the past three to four months, Foodbank Australia has purchased more key staple foods than in the three years prior to COVID-19, with the Supré community contributing to 80,000 meal donations for Foodbank through every dollar raised providing two meals to those in need.

“One in five Australians have experienced food insecurity at some point in the last 12 months and this number is unfortunately on the rise given the current environment. The generous support from brands, such as Supré Foundation, will assist vulnerable Australians who require essential food relief, especially women who are more likely to be food insecure,” said Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey.

In addition, Vinnies Women’s Refuge provides home visitation and crisis accommodation support for women and children escaping domestic abuse due to increased social and physical isolation during this time. Due to the substantial support from the Supré customers and the Supré community, the money raised to date has provided woman and children access and support within over 150 shelters.

“The rise in domestic violence cases has been a real concern over the past few months, especially with working from home conditions putting vulnerable women and children at higher risk. We’re pleased to have the support of the Supré Foundation so we can ensure people are safe during this turbulent time,” said Niamh Mannion, Vinnies Services Executive Director.