A London man is urging people to help the less fortunate and send a message that customer forgiveness can't be bought.
Rick Robson, head of the London Police Association, is asking people to take advantage of a goodwill gesture by Loblaws for $25 gift cards in the wake of a bread price-fixing scheme. But instead of spending the cash yourself, Robson would like to see people turn the gift card over to someone living in poverty.
Robson pitched the idea on Twitter Wednesday. He wrote "take your Loblaws card and shove it. Into the hands of someone that needs it. Everyone go here https://loblawcard.ca Register to get your card and then donate it."
From late 2001 until March 2015 Loblaws participated in an industry-wide bread price-fixing arrangement. As a result, Loblaw Companies Ltd. is offering eligible customers a $25 gift card.
"This seems to be another hollow attempt by an organization or a body to save face on something that was clearly objectionable that they got away with, not going to get any penalties, that they profited from and in the end who they profited from the most was the most vulnerable," said Robson. "It hit me the wrong way when I first read it so the first thing that jumped into my mind was to ignore it, but then I thought there is a method here where we could turn this around and make it a good thing."
To obtain the gift card, customers have to enter their email address through a website to be notified once registration opens. Robson believes the hoop-jumping will leave the less fortunate unable to participate.
"In itself, it is a bit of an onerous process, where someone who doesn't have regular access to a computer or email, who will likely most benefit from a gift card from Loblaws is not even going to be able to go through the process to register for these cards," said Robson. "Ideally, we can help some families that might need it. There are a number of organizations in town that help people through food donations. My Sisters Place comes to mind. There is clearly plenty of need in London."
Loblaws expects to hand out three million to six million gift cards. Registration is likely to begin on January 8 and close May 8. Those who want to be notified once registration opens can enter their email address at LoblawsCard.ca.
"I am hopeful people will take that step now, get prepared for when the cards come out in the new year and then we can hopefully get a dump truck full of gift cards and deliver them to people who actually need them," said Robson.
https://twitter.com/lndnpoliceassoc/status/943478391822368768
