Five Waterford charities and community groups get funding boost from local supermarket staff

Five charities and community groups in Waterford have received a welcome funding boost after being nominated by local supermarket staff.

Waterford County Museum Society, Waterford Marine Search and Rescue, ISPCA Waterford, Respond Early Years Service Lisduggan, and Waterford Animal Welfare will each receive €500 in gift cards through the ALDI Community Grants Programme 2025.

The initiative, which allows ALDI employees to put forward causes that matter most in their communities, is designed to support groups making a difference at a local level.

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The funding will be put to work in very different ways, from preserving Waterford's history at the County Museum, to supporting young children at Respond's Lisduggan Early Years Service, to helping rescue teams save lives on the city's river.

Animal welfare also features strongly, with both the ISPCA Waterford and Waterford Animal Welfare among this year's recipients.

Carmel Murray of the ISPCA said the grant will "help provide urgent veterinary care, nutritious food, and safety for an animal in need. Every euro goes directly towards saving lives and giving vulnerable animals a second chance."

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The Community Grants Programme has been running since 2016, with over €844,000 donated nationwide to more than 1,000 charities and groups. This year alone, ALDI is providing €86,500 in grants across Ireland.

ALDI currently operates five stores in County Waterford, with teams based in Waterford City, Dungarvan, and Tramore. The retailer also partners with several Waterford-based food and drink producers, including Edward Flahavan & Sons, Blackwater Distillery, and Dawn Meats Ireland.