Buying to help

CUSTOMERS churned through the checkouts at Safeway Pakenham on Friday in aid of drought-stricken farmers.
The Pakenham branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) collected toiletries outside the store for Safeway’s Backing Our Farmers Day, while the Rotary Club of Pakenham sizzled sausages for the same cause.
Safeway Pakenham’s acting store manager Wayne Fischer said the community’s response was overwhelming.
He said Safeway Pakenham was the number one store in its group area, which covers stores from Lakes Entrance to Dandenong.
“We had a very good response from people in Pakenham and surrounding areas,” Mr Fischer said.
CWA Pakenham secretary Rosemary Davies said shoppers generously donated toiletries which would be made up into pamper packs for farming families affected by the drought.
“It was a most successful day for both Rotary and the CWA, working together for the community,” she said.
Safeway’s Backing Our Farmers day raised $7 million Australia-wide. People contributed from simply shopping at Safeway and by putting money in collection tins at the checkout.
The annual fund-raiser has raised more than $17 million over the last three years and through the CWA has provided thousands of families with emergency financial support.