This April, Drakes marked a significant philanthropic milestone with the largest single donation the company has made to date.
The Drakes team hosted a morning tea with suppliers and charity partners to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the Charity Showbag Initiative. The program has achieved an incredible feat, raising $2 million for its South Australian charity partners.
Last year saw a record-breaking 18,000 showbags snapped up, marking the highest number ever sold. As a result, a generous $188,058 was raised in support of Bedford Group, Flinders Foundation, The Hospital Research Foundation, SA Police Legacy, and St John Ambulance. Each charity partner received an equal share of $37,611.70, helping them continue their vital work within the South Australian community.
“We couldn’t have done this without the support of our supplier partners and our customers – it’s become an annual event that everyone looks forward to!” said Drakes Director, John-Paul Drake.
He added, “Our communities are an integral part of our ecosystem, and we’re proud to be able to give back in any way we can.”
The Drakes Charity Showbag Initiative began in 1999 as a way to raise money for local charities and provide meaningful work for people with disabilities. For over 20 years, Bedford Group has played a key role in the initiative by packing the showbags at their facility.
This long-standing partnership has created more than 600 job opportunities for Bedford employees, while also supporting their broader charitable efforts.
A cornerstone of the Charity Showbag Initiative is the support of Drakes’ suppliers, who generously donate products to fill the showbags. In 2024, 35 supply partners contributed to the initiative, donating over 456,000 products.
This support helped create three types of showbags, each valued at over $126. However, during the week of the Royal Adelaide Show, Drakes sold them for just $14 at South Australian supermarkets.
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