Nisa said more than £1 million was donated to good causes across the UK through its Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity last year.
A total of 2,060 donations were made by Nisa stores to local charities and community groups, totalling £1,055,227.
A new category of donations added last year, namely ‘strengthened communities’, has seen 297 donations, totalling £173,755, to help build stronger communities through funding shared community spaces, activities, events and projects.
One such example was a donation of £1,250 from Levens Village Shop in Kendal to fund the catering for a local event, a Ceilidh celebration aimed at bringing the community together for fun and socialising following the lifting of covid restrictions.
Kate Carroll, Nisa’s Head of Charity said: “We’re delighted that communities have benefited from donations totalling more than £1m over the last 12 months, as the funding given by our independent retailers will make a significant difference for many small charities and community groups, who often rely on the support of local people and businesses to remain open.
“MADL collecting tins and the newly launched clothing banks and digital donations have been valuable in raising additional funds in partner stores over the last year and enabling Nisa shoppers to support good causes they care about.
“We’re thrilled that so many very deserving causes have benefitted from funding, especially during such challenging times.”
Since its formation in 2008, MADL has raised over £14m and supported charities and other good causes with more than 15,000 donations, with recipients ranging from foodbanks, hospices and refuges to youth sports teams and community groups, to name a few.