Australia’s largest independent supermarket network, IGA, has thrown its national support behind the St Vincent de Paul Society to help out local communities this Christmas.

The first Christmas Community Chest Program will run from 3 to 30 December 2012, with more than 1000 participating SUPA IGA and IGA stores across the country collect a percentage of sales from specially marked products to donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The program will help the charity reach out to anyone who needs assistance over the Christmas period by providing basics like food and clothing, helping with debt and bills, and donating Christmas presents.

This inititiative is part of an ongoing commitment at the IGA network; the Community Chest program has raised about $60 million for charities over the last 10 years.

Silvestro Morabito, chief operating officer of IGA supplier Metcash Food & Grocery, said “We hope that funds raised from the IGA Christmas Chest program will significantly help Vinnies assisting the greater numbers of families expected this Christmas.

“IGA urges customers to get involved and look out for specially marked Community Chest items at their local store and give generously over this critical period.”

Frank Brassil, president St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn said “In the lead up to Christmas, there is a significant increase in demand for assistance to underprivileged families and individuals struggling to cope with the tough economic conditions we face.

“On the back of a tough year of increasing costs of rent, electricity and food, we are receiving even more calls for help and we thank IGA for providing assistance to us nationally.”