SOBEYS SUPPORTS SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC WITH NUTRITION EDUCATION - AND $1M DONATION

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, Sobeys Inc. (Sobeys) made the difficult decision to cancel its national checkstand fundraising campaign in support of Special Olympics Canada, scheduled June 18 to July 1, 2020. To ensure that this decision does not negatively impact Special Olympics athletes, Sobeys has honoured its fundraising target with a $1 million donation.

As a Special Olympics Canada partner since 2016, Sobeys has contributed more than $5.4 million in food and funds. Through this support, we have seen first-hand the difference nutrition education can make in empowering healthy bodies and healthy minds.

Special Olympics Canada thanks Sobeys for the astounding $1 million donation. These much needed funds will help keep grassroots, community-led programs sustainable, supporting 49,600 athletes with an intellectual disability and 22,000 coaches and volunteers from coast to coast to coast.

Sobeys support at home

Since May, Sobeys Dietitians Rebecca and Véronique have hosted Wellness Wednesdays LIVE on the Special Olympics Canada Facebook page, teaching athletes how to make healthy recipes while staying safe and connected at home.

Watch each Wellness Wednesday by clicking the videos below!

Greek Orzo Salad	Fruit Snack	Peanut Butter Banana Roll-ups

Strawberry Slushy	Melon Salsa	Chicken, Peach and Arugula Pizza

No Bake Energy Balls	Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries	Vegetable Quiche Cups

Grilled Cheese with Tomato and Pesto	Creamy Apple Cinnamon Oat Shake	Follow @SpecialOCanada on Facebook!

For more healthy recipes like these, see the Online Athlete Nutrition Guide:

Sobeys support at Games

This year, members of the Sobeys family attended the Special Olympics Winter Games in Thunder Bay to cheer on athletes and witness their support in action.

As a Diamond Sponsor of the Games, Sobeys, through its Safeway banner, supplied healthy meals and snacks to athletes and volunteers.

Meet PEI’s Brian McNab: Special Olympics World Champion and Sobeys employee

Prince Edward Island’s Brian McNab, 47, has been a Special Olympics athlete for 15 years, competing in softball and floor hockey. He’s also one of dozens of Special Olympics athletes across Canada who’s found meaningful work at Sobeys.

Calgary’s Leonka Kaluha finds confidence and acceptance at Special Olympics Alb…

In September 2018, she volunteered to visit her local Sobeys to share her story at the grocery chain’s first-ever in-store fundraiser in support of Special Olympics programs across Canada, which raised more than $700,000.

Leonka made a lasting impression on the store staff and was hired on the spot. She’s been working as a Courtesy Clerk ever since.

“At Sobeys I feel part of a family,” said Leonka. “I feel respected and honoured and I feel like one of them - they treat me like one of them and I feel like I don’t even have a disability.”

Sobeys customers across Canada raise a record $930,000 for Special Olympics ath…

The funds raised will support 47,500 Canadians with an intellectual disability – of all ages and skill levels – who participate in Special Olympics programming across the country.

Watch the video below with TSN’s Kate Beirness and Special Olympics Ontario athlete/Sobeys employee Carly Bryden announcing the success of this year’s campaign.