The MarketPlace’s Fundraising Campaign Provides $60,000 Boost for Charity

12 October 2021 – The MarketPlace today announced that its round-up campaign has raised nearly $60,000 for two charities supporting those continued to be heavily impacted by Covid-19.

Customers across the island supported The MarketPlace charity round-up to raise money for The Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society during September. The MarketPlace customers reached the total by rounding up their purchases to the nearest $1. Over the 30-day in-store campaign, customer donations and a contribution from our partner Clarien Bank totaled $57,705.42. These funds will be equally split between both charities.

We are beyond grateful for the success of this fundraising campaign. Since the start of the pandemic, The MarketPlace has worked creatively to support the multifaceted needs of our community through varying offerings and initiatives, including our ongoing three-times weekly 5% discount, pop-up Covid-19 testing at select stores island-wide, video series highlighting local entrepreneurs who sell their locally made or grown products in our stores, compassionate plan to hire laid-off workers of the Fairmont Southampton and our signature cost saving initiatives: Every Day Low Prices (EDPL) and Value Bags.

Seth Stutzman, President of the MarketPlace group of stores, said: “A huge thank you to our customers for their enormous generosity. It is beautiful to see the community digging deep to support these two amazing charities. We are beyond grateful for the support of our customers and our partnership with Clarien Bank. This continues to be an incredibly tough period for many and hopefully, this donation of nearly $60,000 will help as many in need as possible. We all have to work together to help support each other.”

Major Robert Kerr, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army, said: “Since the beginning of the pandemic, The Salvation Army has provided food assistance to 12,550 people and we have provided over 28,000 free meals in our communities. Our shelters have provided almost 14,000 nights of safe sleep to individuals throughout this same period. We are beyond grateful to the MarketPlace for their leadership in this effort and to Clarien Bank for their support. They have created an opportunity for many people to give and together they have done something great, thank you for helping us help others.  As we head towards Christmas, we know the need will be great.

Joe Amaral, Vice President of St Vincent de Paul Society, said: “We are truly thankful for The MarketPlace shoppers who have opened their hearts and wallets to such a needy cause. The past 18 months have been really tough on many families and these monies will enable us to continue our efforts supporting those in need. A heartful thanks to The MarketPlace staff and Clarien Bank for making this effort possible.”

Simon Van de Weg, Chief Banking Officer for Clarien Bank, said: “Clarien is pleased to be able to support the MarketPlace with its round-up charitable promotion. The dollars raised show a deep commitment from our community to help those in need during these challenging times.”

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About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army offers a variety of services and programs throughout Bermuda for members of the communities that we serve. These activities are motivated by a belief that each individual possesses an inherent worth and dignity. It is the goal of The Salvation Army to restore dignity and hope in the lives of those we serve through these programs as they experience times of need.

About St Vincent de Paul Society

The St Vincent de Paul Society is the Roman Catholic Charity in the Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda.  SVdP operates entirely with the assistance of volunteers and has been working quietly in the community to help those in need for many years.  SVdP supports two main programs; our Christmas Voucher Program, which aims to provide grocery vouchers to families in need at Christmas and our Loaves and Fishes Program, which provides approximately 100 hot, nutritious meals to the homeless and vulnerable every Sunday evening.