Full boxes delivered

Countdown stores around the country have filled boxes and donated clothes, food, toys and grocery items to Women’s Refuge.

Last year Countdown won the health and wellbeing category in the Good Business Egg event run by BACS (Business and Community Shares) New Zealand.

At the time, BACS gave winners a 596cm by 406cm large cardboard box where they were then challenged to present the filled box to Women’s Refuge.

BACS founder, Julie DonvinIrons says the challenge is entrusted to the winners to complete and it is up to each individual company to decide how best to fill their box.

‘‘It’s a reminder to businesses who invest in their community that it is a process of continual investment, that always needs nurturing, and we’re pleased to see Countdown offer their services and skills.’’

‘‘What started off as one box has now seen 35 of these large boxes delivered to Women’s Refuges around New Zealand,’’ Countdown general manager James Walker says.

Women’s Refuge offers a wide range of services and programmes for women and their families who are experiencing family violence. In the last year more than 40,000 women and children were referred for help.

Women’s Refuge’s Ruth MacIntyre-Bardell says; ‘‘Despite family violence being a prolific and widespread problem in New Zealand, many people find it difficult to understand.

‘‘Having some of these more practical and essential goods, will really help us to support the women that seek out our services many of which are at their most vulnerable.’’

Countdown presented their box for the Women’s Refuge at the BACS evening on April 5.