Central Co-op customers raise over £20,000 for DEC Middle East Appeal

Central Co-op Members and customers have once again demonstrated the power of collective goodwill, generously donating over £20,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Middle East Humanitarian Appeal via Pennies. This remarkable achievement highlights the community spirit that lies at the heart of Central Co-op’s values, uniting efforts to support families and communities affected by conflict in Gaza, Lebanon and the surrounding region.

A united effort to make a difference

In partnership with the wider co-operative movement, Central Co-op responded to the urgent humanitarian crisis in the Middle East by supporting the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal. This campaign was launched to provide critical assistance to those displaced by ongoing conflicts, offering essentials like food, water, shelter and healthcare to families in desperate need.

Customers are encouraged to contribute through Pennies, a micro-donations charity that allows shoppers to round up their purchases when paying by card. During a period of time, we allocated a percentage of these micro-donations to the humanitarian appeal, and donations were divided as follows:

• 60% to Samaritans
• 30% to the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal
• 10% to Pennies to sustain operations

The Pennies donations will now revert to supporting Samaritans exclusively (90% Samaritans, 10% to Pennies) from Sunday, 26th of January.

How the donations help

Every pound donated has the power to transform lives:

• £10: Provides blankets for two people
• £50: Offers emergency food for five families for a week
• £100: Secures emergency shelter for five families

Furthermore, the UK government has committed to match donations pound for pound, up to £10 million, through its Aid Match scheme, doubling the impact of every contribution.

Continuing the support

Central Co-op remains dedicated to helping affected communities and invites Members, colleagues, and customers to continue their support:

1. Text to Donate: Text COOP to 70676 to donate £10.*
2. JustGiving: Visit the DEC JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/decmiddleeasthumanitarianappeal.

A community that cares

The generosity of Central Co-op Members and customers highlights the power of community and collective action. By coming together, shoppers have not only provided vital support to those in crisis but also reinforced the Central Co-op’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world.

Thank you to everyone who donated and helped bring hope to families in need. Your contributions are a testament to the compassion and unity that define Central Co-op and its community.

*Standard text message charges may apply. Please check with your provider.