WoolWorths holdings limited 2013 good BUsiness JoUrneY report

Transformation and corporate social investment
MAKING THE DIFFERENCE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
Our Making the Difference Programme for primary schools
and the Making the Difference Through Design Programme for
high schools are two Woolworths initiatives designed to enrich
education in South African schools.
There are 2 148 primary schools and 339 high schools across the
country currently benefiting from the Woolworths Making the
Difference Educational Programmes – based on a R4.7 million
annual contribution by Woolworths.
SURPLUS FOOD AND CLOTHING DONATIONS
Woolworths is committed to using its surplus products to further
contribute in addressing food insecurity in South Africa. Each year,
Woolworths gives away millions of Rands worth of its clothes
and surplus food to South Africans in need and in disasters.
The surplus food is edible Woolworths products that are past
“Sell By” date but before “Best Before” and “Use By” dates.
Most surplus food and some surplus clothing are distributed by
Woolworths to local charities through stores and other partners.
A total of R438 million worth of surplus foods and R10.7 million
of clothing were donated by Woolworths to needy causes
in 2013 (2012: R393 million). Note: These figures represent the
cost to company, not the retail price of the items.
EMPLOYEE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Woolworths stores are encouraged to support social
development projects, schools and charities in their local
communities. The Woolworths Trust matches the funds raised by
stores with contributions of up to R4 000 per store. In addition,
stores have their own community giving programmes distributing
surplus food and clothes to local charities.
The year 2012 saw a greater focus being placed on employee
community involvement with a formalised community forum
driving a number of community involvement initiatives across the
business. These included the successful introduction of an initiative
that saw 67 colleagues selected to spend the day at a charity
of their choice on Mandela Day and the introduction of the ‘Just
Because’ initiative, providing another opportunity for Woolworths
employees to support their communities. The Woolworths Trust
chose thirteen needy causes nominated by employees and
donated R10 000 to each one, helping make a difference to
the specific needs of that community.
Supporting and enabling colleagues to get involved in their
communities will continue to be a focus with the Trust’s tenth
birthday celebrations providing extensive opportunities for
colleagues to make a difference.
R438 m
of
R10.7 m
worth of surplus foods and
clothing were donated by Woolworths to the Clothing Bank
in 2013
R41 m
R250 m
contributed to MySchool in 2013
contributed to Myschool beneficiaries since inception
WHL 42 / 2013 GOOD BUSINESS JOURNEY