Asahi Lifestyle Beverages has launched a nationwide fundraiser in more than 10,000 convenience stores, service stations, quick service restaurants and other major retail chains to help charities including The Smith Family as part of The Big
Giveback.

The Big Giveback will see 10 cents from the sale of non-alcoholic drinks including Schweppes, Cool Ridge water, Solo, Gatorade and Lipton Iced Tea sold at these participating locations throughout August donated to help people in need.

Participating stores include more than 700 Ampol/Caltex sites, 260 Metro Petroleum sites and around 700 Coles Expresses, more than 700 KFCs and 100 Noodle Boxes, around 160 Bunnings, Fitness First, Wendys and many more.

The Big Giveback aims to raise more than $1million in total and participating stores will display point-of-sale and other in-store material. Most stores will raise funds for Asahi Lifestyle Beverages’ flagship partner The Smith Family while some will donate to their charity of choice.

The launch of the fundraiser campaign comes as children’s education charity The Smith Family commissioned a new survey revealing two-thirds (63%) of Australians are concerned about the gap between Australia’s ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’.

Around half (48%) of Australians believe this gap has widened since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and many are concerned about the social and educational impacts of the pandemic on children and young people.

Asahi Lifestyles Beverages CEO Nigel Parsons said: “The Smith Family survey confirms in stark detail how the pandemic has challenged all of the community over the past 18 months, but it has been particularly confronting for vulnerable families and children who desperately want to continue their education.

“The Big Giveback is a simple way for Australians to directly help these families via our flagship partner The Smith Family. We will announce additional activities relating to The Big Giveback in coming weeks.”

Judy Barraclough, The Smith Family’s Acting CEO, said while the findings highlight the concerns and impacts felt in the broader community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the charity is seeing first hand some of the biggest challenges facing those in our most disadvantaged communities.

“We see every day the struggles of families in severe financial stress and the effects these can have on children’s education – and the latest lockdowns in many parts of the country have caused significant upheaval again in people’s lives.

“The Smith Family appreciates the generous support of the community and our national corporate partner Asahi Lifestyle Beverages, in helping to raise much-needed funds at this critical time. This support can make all the difference in a young person’s life, helping them persevere through the toughest of circumstances to continue their education and create a better future for themselves.

“Together, through campaigns like The Big Giveback, we can help even more young Australians in need.”

All funds received by The Smith Family will go to its Learning for Life program, which currently supports the education of almost 58,000 students experiencing disadvantage across Australia.

Australians can support The Big Giveback fundraiser at participating stores or by making a donation. For more information visit the campaign website at thebiggiveback.com.au.