Since its founding, more than 30 years ago, SPAR Hungary has been committed to social responsibility and supporting charitable causes. The company helps thousands of families in need by collecting school supplies and non-perishable food, while also supporting healthcare and animal welfare organisations, as well as cultural and sports programmes. Last year, SPAR spent nearly 220 million forints on these causes.

Cooperation for families in need

SPAR and its strategic partner, the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, organised the Joy to Give! (Adni Öröm!) school supply collection campaign for the fourth time in 2024, through which SPAR customers helped disadvantaged families to start school with a total of about 71,000 items of school supplies. Supporters also purchased donation cards worth 1.4 million forints, and the Charity Service also used the money to provide school supplies to those in need. On top of this, SPAR donated a further 1 million HUF to the initiative.

As a result of the 28th Christmas Joy to Give! non-perishable food collection campaign organized by the company and the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, more than 26,000 food packages were distributed to disadvantaged people before the holiday. Customers of SPAR and INTERSPAR stores contributed 223 tonnes of food to the donations and by purchasing donation cards for almost 5.5 million forints, which SPAR Hungary matched with an additional 5 million forints. The Charity Service spent this amount on buying even more food products.

The Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta has been producing canvas shopping bags for the SPAR national network in Tiszabura, one of the poorest corners of the country, since 2019. In the past six years, the organisation has produced more than 424,000 bags in the Máltai Manufaktúra sewing shop, involving people in difficulty, for whom the program provides training and jobs.

As part of the strategic partnership, in 2024, the company donated more than 1.1 million kilograms of food, vegetables, and fruit from 66 SPAR stores that were withdrawn from sales but still suitable for consumption, to the Charity Service, who then distributed them to the people in need.

In 2024, the 200 and 500 HUF donation cards for the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta were also available for purchase in SPAR and INTERSPAR stores and in the SPAR online shop. The amount of the cards purchased has exceeded 50 million forints since the start of the initiative. In addition, in each SPAR and INTERSPAR store, the company donates 1 forint from the price of every degradable carry bag to the Charity Service. Thanks to this, SPAR supported the organisation’s work with more than 10 million forints in 2024.

SPAR supports animal welfare

The retail chain has been helping animal shelters in Hungary for more than a decade by donating products that are no longer commercially marketable but can be used to feed animals. Last year, the company donated more than 2,900 tonnes of food to 156 organisations.

The chain also works closely with the National Animal Protection Foundation (Országos Állatvédőrség Alapítvány).  During the jointly organized Paw in Trouble! pet food collection weekend, customers of INTERSPAR stores donated nearly 12,000 cans and 9,500 kilograms of dry pet food. Additionally, large quantities of pet equipment and cleaning products were donated. SPAR also contributed 1 million HUF to support the work of the National Animal Protection Foundation.

The company provides opportunities for animal protection and rescue NGOs to organize collections in SPAR and INTERSPAR stores throughout the year.

Runners from 107 countries arrived for the SPAR Budapest Marathon Festival

The country’s largest and oldest running competition, the SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival, took place for the 39th time in October 2024. As the main sponsor, SPAR has been supporting the event since 2008 as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle and the love of exercise. Around 30,000 participants from 107 countries took part in the competition, which took place across the most beautiful parts of the capital, in various categories. SPAR employees could register for the competition for free, and in the spirit of social responsibility, the company supported the Utcáról Lakásba! (From the Streets to a Home) association with a 2,000-forint donation for every colleague who took part.

SPAR offsets carbon footprint of its events by planting native trees

SPAR Hungary’s exemplary practice of striving for environmental awareness with its own events continued in 2024: the chain already organized two of its events in a carbon-conscious spirit this year. With the corporate partner event held at the Budapest Wine Festival and the annual business results press conference, SPAR compensated for the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the organisation, energy consumption, guest travel and meals by planting a total of 418 native fruit trees.

SPAR supported a paediatric ear replacement operation

SPAR Hungary contributed to the introduction of a revolutionary new medical intervention: the first successful ear replacement operation was performed at the Heim Pál National Paediatric Institute on a 10-year-old child in December 2024. The support related to the operation will also enable the healthcare institution to purchase the implants necessary for the surgery for three additional children.

Direct support for civil society organisations

SPAR Hungary is pleased to support organisations that are dedicated to socially significant causes.  Therefore, the company launched the SPAR Helping Hands application system through which it supported 145 NGOs last year.

SPAR Regional Treasures programme helps small businesses

Over the past year, SPAR Hungary has further expanded its small producer business partnership programme. Launched in 2021, the award-winning Regional Treasures programme has made it possible for more than 500 products from more than 100 suppliers to be available in stores. The company also provides professional support to the partners to further improve their progress and market position, and has developed a new application for more effective communication. The participating companies and small businesses together employ more than 600 people.

Plastic-free July: focus on creating awareness

The store chain joined the Plastic-free July campaign in 2024, to raise the attention of its customers and 14,000 employees through various communication channels to rethink everyday consumer habits, to well-planned and conscious shopping to generate as little waste as possible. In addition, the company offered customers a reusable, easy-to-clean fruit and vegetable bag package at a special price of 99 forints.

SPAR Hungary’s innovative packaging technology has been honoured with two prestigious awards.  The company’s flow-pack machine at the Regnum meat processing plant can package the plant’s most popular product using 70% less plastic. In addition to this, the retail chain’s carbon-conscious events also received recognition.

“For SPAR Hungary, the issue of environmental sustainability is of strategic importance. To achieve our goals, we are developing our new and renovated stores with this in mind. We are proud that several of our initiatives have recently been recognised with prestigious awards, which confirms that we are on the right track,” explained Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

The “Effekt 2030 – ESG Solutions Award” aims to recognise and promote the effective environmental, social and management solutions companies use, thereby facilitating the development of companies’ ESG-focused approach.  In the area of waste reduction of the Green Balance category, SPAR Hungary’s “S-BUDGET minced meat flow-pack packaging change” programme was awarded.  The new product packaging is safe, preserves the freshness of the meat product, all while using 70% less plastic.  With this development, the company has already reduced its plastic use by 22 tonnes since its introduction in 2023.

SPAR’s innovative packaging technology has won the category of the Joint Venture Association (JVSZ) Companies for the Future Award Best ESG programme. The company’s exemplary carbon-conscious events were also recognized by the JVSZ: SPAR has already organized two events in this spirit in 2024. The company compensated for the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the events by planting a total of 418 native fruit trees.

The Szupermenta programme of NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office) recently assessed 30 retail units nationwide, primarily focusing on their dairy departments.  As a result of the survey, the SPAR supermarket located at 3 Csobánka tér, Budapest, 3rd district, received an excellent rating, thus becoming eligible to use the Szupermenta logo.

280 young applicants aged between 16 and 24, living in child protection, have submitted their applications for the K&H Fit For Life program. The program aims to support those on the edge of adulthood, helping them start an independent life and integrate into society.

“We received many touching motivation letters from applicants, revealing the immense inner drive these young people possess. However, without sufficient financial support, they cannot further develop themselves and lay the foundation for their future. To quote one applicant, for these young adults, every day is a struggle to prove that they are not defined by their past but by their determination and goals” – explains Nóra Horváth Magyary Voljč, Country Communication Officer at K&H Group. “We want to provide these talented and motivated young people with the opportunity to complete their desired courses and training so they can flourish in the fields they are most passionate about, find their dream jobs, and establish their livelihoods.”

Most applicants requested support for obtaining a driver’s license, as mobility has become essential for many jobs. A girl studying to be a pastry chef would use a car for delivering cakes, a carpenter would need it for traveling to clients, and a young waiter would rely on it to get home safely after late-night shifts. One applicant wants to deliver donations to disadvantaged children, while another plans to use bicycle repair skills to fix wheelchairs.

Different forms of driving also appeal to these young people – some aspire to operate forklifts, others wish to pilot ultralight aircraft, or even drive tractors as a means of earning a living.

Regarding other types of training, applicants’ interests are diverse, ranging from veterinary assistant courses and nail technician training to agricultural education. Many also wish to attend language courses, recognizing that foreign language skills can greatly enhance both their opportunities abroad and their careers at home.

The winners of the program will be announced in the spring. Before that, the selected participants will have the chance to attend preparatory training sessions on various topics.