Campbell Europe Lends Helping Hand at Christmas

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) January 5, 2012 

Erasco Warms up Luebeck Christmas Market   The German team helped to keep visitors to the world-famous Luebeck Christmas Markets this year with an Erasco stall selling steaming cups of eintopf and gluwein (spiced wine). The stall, which was staffed entirely by Campbell employees raised money for the local Ronald McDonald House, located near the Luebeck University hospital. Ronald McDonald Houses provide accommodation and support for seriously ill children and their families.   An employee at Erasco, said the stall provided a great opportunity to build brand awareness amongst the tens of thousands of people who visit the Christmas markets each year, as well as the opportunity for employees to give something back to the local community.   'Around 70 employees have so far volunteered to spend a few hours each day at the stall. It was good fun, helped charity but also put our people face to face with our consumers, which is invaluable for building a rapport and deepening our consumer understanding,' he said.   The stall opened daily from 23 November to 16 December from 10.00am to 7.00pm during the Christmas Market and sold three of our most popular varieties of eintopf: Chicken Noodle, Goulash and Pea. It was located outside the 800 year old St Peter's Church where crafters from across the country set up stalls. Christmas Markets in Luebeck were first mentioned in 1648 and today it is one of the best known, attracting more than 400 different traders from across the country as well as tens of thousands of people from across Europe.   Sweden Supports Salvation Army   This winter the Swedish business has committed to help feed people in need with a special promotion and donation in conjunction with the Salvation Army.  The charity, which, globally provides housing and support to those in need, is active in the southern region of Sweden where our Karpalund office and manufacturing site is based.   As part of the promotion, Bla Band will donate a bowl of soup to the Salvation Army for every pack of Bla Band sold during January. Campbell’s Country Director, said: 'We chose the Salvation Army as during these difficult economic times, we want to support those people who are doing it tough. The Salvation Army does an amazing job supporting families and people in need and during the past 12 months demand for their services in Sweden has increased significantly. So we thought we would try and help by giving a little bit back.'   To kick start the promotion the team made a one off donation of around 2000 packs of soup to the Salvation Army.   Finland, France and Belgium support local Food Banks   Local food banks in Helsinki, Avignon and in Belgium have also received sizeable donations from Campbell during the run up to Christmas when demand is highest.    In Finland, charity Operaatio Ruokakassi received a generous donation of Bla Band soup and dry sauces which they will distribute as part of food packages to people in need in the western area of Finland. The charity has reported an increase in demand for their services during the past six months.   Whilst in France and Belgium we continue to support local Food Banks which we have supported for many years with donations of product.  

CAMP19933