City Markets
City Market's New Smart Shopper Savings Stamp Program Successfully Launched
By Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
Aug 11, 2009 - 6:09:49 PM

Shown in the photo below are various representatives from the 8 main charities as well as representatives from Bahamas Supermarkets Limited (BSL), Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, Marketing Director (front row, center) and Peter Goudie, Human Resources Director (back row, right). Back row from left to right are: Madeline Froning & Major Oral Morris, Salvation Army, John Philpott, Scout Association, Caryl Lashley, AIDS Foundation, Brendon Watson, Red Cross, Pheafrisia Strachan, Nicolette Archer & Crystal Fountain, Girl Guides, Earle Bethell, Bahamas Cancer Society and Peter Goudie, BSL. Front row from left to right: Natasha Wright & Lynn Gape, Bahamas National Trust, Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, BSL and R. E. Barnes, Heart Foundation.

Nassau, Bahamas -- Bahamas Supermarkets Limited, which operates 11 City Markets stores in New Providence and Grand Bahama, launched their new community fundraising initiative last month.  Tied to the company’s new Smart Shopper Savings Stamp Program, customers have a chance to give back to various charities linked to the program with the donation of their City Market Smart Shopper Savings Stamps.  In each of the City Market Stores, there is a Fundraising Stand that holds 12 sheets.  Each sheet is assigned to a non-profit organization, charity or group. One sheet holds 200 stamps and a filled sheet is worth $10.00.  At the end of each quarter, a cheque representing the total amount of sheets accumulated will be presented to the charities or organizations that are part of the program.  In the first week of the program, approximately $4,000 in stamps had been donated. 

The “Community Board” as it is called, has been in the City Market stores since June and customers have reacted favourably to it. Tourists who do not usually use their stamps like the idea of making a donation to a worthy cause.  Kids also like to get involved and learn about giving back.  “When my daughters who are 8-1/2 and 3-1/2 years old are shopping with me, they can’t wait to get the stamps at the end of my sale and run over to the board and paste them on,” said Marketing Director, Azaleta Ishmael-Newry.   

The eight charities that were chosen for this year’s program include: The AIDS Foundation, Bahamas Girl Guides Association, Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation, Bahamas National Trust, Bahamas Red Cross, Cancer Society of The Bahamas, Salvation Army and the Scout Association of The Bahamas. 

The other 4 groups or charities are chosen by a City Market store and the aim is to choose ones that are located in their community. Partnerships like these help the local community and Bahamas Supermarkets has been doing so for the past 40 years. 

At a press conference that was held in July at the Nassau Headquarters of Bahamas Supermarkets, each spokesperson for the 8 main charities talked about their organization. They all agreed with Earle Bethell, president of the Bahamas Cancer Society who stated “In these tough economic times, every penny counts.”  Major Oral Morris of the Salvation Army said that they have seen more and more persons seeking assistance and “the assistance from Bahamas Supermarkets will certainly help the Salvation Army.”  

The Bahamas Red Cross said that they would use the funds for their Meals on Wheels Program, the Bahamas National Trust, for educational programs, the Scouts Association of the Bahamas and the Bahamas Girl Guide Association towards various projects as will the AIDS Foundation.  Roy E. Barnes of the Sir Victor Heart Foundation said the funds would help their children’s heart program.