MONTREAL, May 22, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Following the success of the first edition in 2011, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is again organizing a major campaign in all its outlets in support of the Banques alimentaires Québec (BAQ) network of food banks. Between May 25 and 27, consumers are encouraged to visit an SAQ outlet and buy a bottle of white wine. For each bottle of white wine sold, the SAQ will donate $1 to BAQ. In addition, thanks to the participation of certain suppliers, if the bottle is one of six "doubly generous" wines showcased in aisle-end displays, the SAQ's stake will be raised another $1 every time a buyer is found.
By joining forces, the SAQ and BAQ aim to provide quality food in sufficient quantities to thousands of Quebecers every day. "Given the SAQ's business segment, it's completely natural for us to team up with Banques alimentaires Québec to help ensure Quebec's food security," said SAQ's chief executive officer Philippe Duval. "Last year, an impressive number of customers took advantage of the opportunity we made available to them, enabling us to donate $340,000 to the organization. The experience showed us that it really is possible to make a difference. We hope that consumers will turn out again this year to make this campaign another resounding success."
For the second year in a row, humorist, storyteller and television host Boucar Diouf has agreed to be involved with the campaign to help combat hunger. "Food assistance is a cause I care deeply about because, even in a country as rich as Canada, thousands of Quebecers experience food insecurity every day," he said. "Concrete actions like the Generous Wines campaign are yet another step toward ensuring that all Quebecers have better access to a sufficient amount of food."
The contribution from the SAQ and its partners couldn't be timelier. "The financial support of donors like the SAQ gives us the means for continuing to distribute food to individuals and families who are going through a rough patch," said BAQ general manager Zakary O. Rhissa. "This is a helping hand that our network really needs, and we are very grateful for it."
The "doubly generous" wines
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About Banques alimentaires Québec
For nearly 25 years, the Banques alimentaires Québec (BAQ) network has supported and represented 18 members of the Moissons food banks across Quebec. The banks supply 1,064 community organizations that handle more than 1.2 million requests for emergency food assistance each month.
A member of Food Banks Canada, BAQ is the Quebec representative of the National Food Sharing System and for the HungerCount annual socio-economic report, which paints a picture of the people who rely on food assistance across Canada.
www.banquesalimentaires.org
About the SAQ
The SAQ's mandate is to sell alcoholic beverages and its mission is to provide superior service to the public in every region of Quebec by offering a broad range of quality products. The SAQ carries out this mandate through a network of 408 outlets and 399 agencies. It sells nearly 11,000 products from some 65 countries.
In addition to its commercial mission, the SAQ fully assumes its role as a responsible corporate citizen by contributing each year to some 400 organizations and 80 events across Quebec through its donation and sponsorship program. In fiscal 2011-2012, the value of these contributions totalled $7.4 million.
www.saq.com
www.facebook.com/saq
Image with caption: "From left to right : Zakary O. Rhissa, Banques alimentaires Québec's general manager, Philippe Duval, SAQ's chief executive officer and Boucar Diouf, comedian, storyteller and television host. (CNW Group/Société des alcools du Québec - SAQ)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120522_C8998_PHOTO_EN_13933.jpg
Renaud Dugas
Media Relations Officer
Société des alcools du Québec
514 254-6000, ext. 6854
[email protected]
Mélissa Lapierre-Grano / Frédérique Henry
Massy Forget Langlois Public Relations
514 842-2455, ext. 31 / ext. 23
[email protected] / [email protected]
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