For Safeway teammates, giving back to the causes close to home has always been second nature. In fact, its been more than a decade that teammates have proudly participated in the Safeway payroll donation program.

A few dollars from each paycheque truly go a long way in supporting the organizations that make a tangible difference in the lives of B.C. families. This is especially true for those who receive care at B.C. Children’s Hospital.

In 2020, our B.C. teammates donated more than $43,000 to the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation through the payroll donation program. This gift will go towards further enhancements of the Belly Breath App.

Deep, purposeful breathing (belly breathing) has been shown to be an effective distraction and coping strategy that can help to reduce distress in children. The Belly Breath App teaches kids how to belly breathe through the use of a personalized cartoon avatar in a hot air balloon that inhales and exhales bubbles to teach and encourage deep breathing.

B.C. teammates also donated more than $42,000 through the payroll donation program in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. This contribution will help provide better access to the resources cancer patients need, both online and in-person. This also means that the Canadian Cancer Society will have the funds needed to purchase critical safety equipment and cleaning protocols at their lodges. Equipping staff with the proper safety gear, face shields and other protective measures will keep patients safe while they undergo cancer treatment.

But you didn’t just stop there. By working together, our B.C. Safeway teammates collectively donated more than $20,000 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to support a strong future for HeartSmart Kids — a program designed in collaboration with Indigenous communities. HeartSmart Kids is a unique classroom and family resource that takes a wholistic approach to improving health using a comprehensive set of tools, tactics and resources. This no-charge education program is offered to Indigenous children from kindergarten to grade six and includes grade-appropriate resources to make an impact on students and families with the tools they need for long, healthy lives.

Thank you, B.C. Safeway teammates, for your passion to serve your communities and help those most vulnerable when they need it most. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed! By working together, we can truly make a difference for families across our province.