In last year’s ‘red cent’ drive initiated by BNP Paribas Fortis Foundation, 1.7 million coins in a total amount of 42,000 euro, were collected, enabling the Belgian food banks to distribute some 14,000 hot meals.
This year’s red cent collection runs from 7 December through to 18 January. Easily recognisable collection boxes are placed in every BNP Paribas Fortis and Fintro branch.
All those who wish to help are able to deposit their 1-, 2- and 5-cent coins – it goes without saying that all coins of other denominations are also gratefully received!
Each collection box as well as the ‘red cent’ posters in the BNP Paribas Fortis and Fintro branches bears a QR (mobile bar) code. For each QR code scanned using a smartphone BNP Paribas Foundation donates 1 extra euro to the food banks. Moreover, when scanned, the QR code routes the participant to the BNP Paribas Fortis Facebook page in Dutch or French where he or she can find more information on the food banks and BNP Paribas Fortis Foundation.
In September last BNP Paribas Fortis already launched a similar initiative in support of less well-off families via foursquare® – a geolocation social network via smartphones – which resulted in 5,000 warm meals being donated across the country.
As a matter of fact, 95% of the 1- and 2-cent coins in circulation are never used in a country like Belgium. This remarkable finding gave BNP Paribas Fortis Foundation the idea of making a collection of these little coins and donating them to the national food banks. The money is used to buy groceries for the needy.
These actions like many others are fully in line with the Bank’s corporate social responsibility policy which is being implemented via BNP Paribas Fortis Foundation. The Foundation provides support to numerous charities and social work organisations that work to combat poverty and social exclusion.
Please have a look at our 'red cent' visuals in the photo gallery below.