Lidl GB is ramping up its commitment to local communities throughout Wales by broadening its community investment programme. This initiative enables participating Lidl stores to back causes that are most important to their nearby residents, fostering stronger local ties and positive social impact.
Local Charity Donations in Pembroke Dock
At the Pembroke Dock store, Lidl colleagues have selected two local charities to each receive a £500 donation. One beneficiary is Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity, which offers specialised services to assist children and young people up to age 25 across Pembrokeshire and wider Wales in coping with loss and rebuilding confidence. This charity was chosen for its profound impact in supporting bereaved young children in the region.
Ben Rees, shift manager at the Pembroke Dock store, emphasised that this initiative provides colleagues with a meaningful way to support organisations making a real difference locally. Sandy Bear currently aids more than 20 families in the Pembroke area, highlighting its vital role in the community.
Martin Jones, BDM at Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity, stated: “Behind every child we support is a story of loss that no family should have to face alone. Support from local businesses like Lidl and their staff means we can continue to be there at the moment families need us most, helping children understand their grief and find a way forward.”
Mental Health Support and Awareness
Also chosen by colleagues at the store is Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Mind, which delivers mental health support services through community programmes and wellbeing initiatives for people across the area. Support from local businesses helps such charities raise awareness and ensure services remain accessible for families in need.
Food Redistribution and Broader Initiatives
In addition to backing local community causes, Feed it Back charity partners linked to participating stores have received £300 Lidl gift cards. The 'Feed it Back' programme, operated in collaboration with community platform Neighbourly, is Lidl GB’s surplus food redistribution effort. Since 2016, this initiative has redistributed the equivalent of over 2.3 million meals within Wales and more than 50 million meals nationally, playing a key role in combating food insecurity.
Ryan McDonnell, CEO at Lidl GB, commented on the programme: “We've made strong progress in our community investment, supporting millions of people in need through our food donations every year. We are always striving to go further though, which is the inspiration behind this latest initiative. This empowers our colleagues to support local, creating meaningful change alongside our charity partners in the communities they serve.”
Long-Term Community Commitment
Known as ‘The Lidl Effect’, the benefits from Lidl’s operations, investments, and employment extend well beyond shopping baskets, driven by programmes like the Lidl Feed it Back scheme and the Lidl Foodies Programme. The Lidl Foodies programme, which has received a £675,000 investment since 2024 to promote healthy eating, provides teacher-led resources through the National Schools Partnership and has already reached more than 25,000 children in Wales. This robust community commitment will now be integrated from day one with every new store opening, ensuring sustained local support.
