Our annual Special Olympics Canada in-store fundraising campaign (June 1 – 8) is almost here, but first we’re taking a moment to recognize our Safeway banner for your long-standing history of support.

Did you know Safeway has been supporting Special Olympics since the 1980s? That’s right, we’re talking about decades of helping thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities achieve their goals and dreams.

In fact, it’s because of Safeway’s meaningful involvement with Special Olympics that inspired Sobeys Inc.’s partnership with this organization and led to the birth of our national fundraising campaign in 2016. Since our national partnership began in 2016, we’ve invested over $9 million through sport, health, fitness and nutrition education.

Here’s a few highlights of Safeway’s support over the years:

• Over the past 15 years alone, Safeway teammates have helped raise nearly $4 million.
• Before 2014, Safeway stores ran regional in-store fundraising campaigns that supported their local Special Olympics chapters.
• In 2014, Safeway granted Special Olympics Canada its first-ever exclusive campaign with 100% of the proceeds supporting this organization at a national level.
• Safeway was a sponsor of the 2020 Special Olympics Canada National Winter Games in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
• Safeway has also been a proud employer of Special Olympics athletes in the local community, helping to build a powerful understanding of how to create a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Thank you, Safeway teammates, for your unwavering support of Special Olympics in your province and local communities. Your countless contributions have helped to change and enrich the lives of Special Olympics athletes through sport, friendship, fun and mentorship. You’re proof that helping others is, and will always be, part of who we are.

We’re also always on the lookout for Special Olympics champions or athletes in our stores to spotlight. If you know of someone, let us know: communityinvestment@sobeys.com.