Southern Co-Op launches festive initiative in Devon stores, giving back food and funding to local community
Communities in Devon are set to receive a boost this winter thanks to Southern Co-op’s Magical Moments, a festive initiative combining £75,000 in funding for local causes with 500 free Christmas shops in store.
Southern Co-op will be surprising customers at random with free Christmas shops across its Devon stores during December, to bring festive cheer to the tills and help ease some of the financial pressure that the holidays can bring as households continue to face rising living costs.
During the festive season, select lucky shoppers in Devon will have their shopping paid for, with 500 shops for £30 each to be allocated across Southern Co-op’s store network. Whether they’re stocking up on household Christmas essentials or choosing special items from Irresistible Range to add that extra magic to festivities with friends and family, shoppers will be able to enjoy a free festive treat.
Additionally, through its annual 2025 Winter Fund, Southern Co-op will award 50 grants of £1,500 to charities, food banks, and community groups that are providing warm spaces and food to those in need this winter.
Delivered in partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that connects businesses with local causes, the fund is now in its third year. In past years, it has supported a wide range of initiatives offering essential help to vulnerable members of the community through the colder months, with donations made to over 100 good causes since the Winter Fund began in 2023.
Simon Eastwood, Chief Operating Officer at Southern Co-op, said: "Winter presents real challenges for many communities, and our Magical Moments campaign is all about offering tangible support when it's needed most as well as bringing those unexpected moments of joy to people’s day.
"From backing local groups doing vital work via our Winter Fund, to helping customers shoulder the cost of Christmas with free festive shops, we look forward to celebrating this special time of year with our colleagues and our customers in Devon by giving a little back.
“Over the next few months, our colleagues will play an essential role in our campaign, with members of our Head Office working alongside store teams, which is a great reminder of what being a co-operative is really all about. We also have more to come as we roll out Magical Moments across our stores throughout December, so watch this space!”
For the 2025 Winter Fund, applications are open now via Neighbourly and close on 30 November 2025:https://www.neighbourly.com/winterfundsoco2025
Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to standard vetting checks, and is open to groups across Berkshire, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, London, Somerset, Surrey and Wiltshire.
Successful applicants will be confirmed before Christmas, with funds issued in early January. The Winter Fund just one the grants Southern Co-op offers organisations throughout the year, all of which focus on creating greener, healthier and safer spaces as part of its community programme.
