PICTON, July 20, 2022 - The next time you visit Picton Metro, you may be asked if you want to donate to a worthy cause in the community.

For the third year, the Metro store in Picton will kick off a two-week fundraising initiative to help the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) raise funds for the new hospital in Prince Edward County. Starting on Thursday, July 28 until Wednesday, August 10, Metro will be asking customers to donate $2 at the cash register in support of the new hospital’s equipment campaign.

Last year, the store raised $16,682 for the new hospital campaign. This year, management and staff at Metro are hoping to beat last year’s result. The two-year cumulative total through this fundraiser is over $33,000.

“We could not achieve our goal of building a new, well equipped hospital for the residents and visitors of Prince Edward County without support from the community and strong corporate partners like Metro,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This initiative will support the future of health care delivery in our community by helping us raise the $6M we need to equip our new hospital. We are honoured to have the continued support of the hard-working staff and loyal customers at Metro in Picton.”

Metro has been a dedicated partner on this special fundraiser that engages both residents of and visitors to Prince Edward County. The simple act of donating at the cash register will help Back the Build for a new hospital in Prince Edward County.

“Metro is proud to be partnering with the foundation for a third year,” said Andre Gagne, Vice President, Fresh Merchandising, Metro. “I am confident that the store employees and our generous customers will come together and exceed expectations again this year. We know firsthand our employees feel connected to their community and they remain committed to Backing the Build for a new County hospital.”

“Our employees have a lot of passion and care about this community. The summer is a busy time for everyone and it’s amazing to see the staff come together and enthusiastically raise funds for our hospital,” said Murray Lupenette, store manager of Picton Metro. “Raising over $33,000 to build the hospital and now to raise funds that will equip it is a meaningful way for the team here at Metro to give back.”

As part of this year’s fundraiser, Metro plans to host a barbecue in the store’s parking lot on Saturday, August 6. The proceeds from the barbecue will be included in this year’s result.

“Metro continues to shine when it comes to Backing the Build for our new hospital. Through this initiative of giving at the cash register, it enables shoppers, even when it’s a couple of dollars, the opportunity to contribute to our new hospital. Thank you to everyone who works at or shops at Metro for your continued support and enthusiasm. Metro are incredible leaders in our community,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chairperson.

Plans are well underway for a 96Ksqft hospital with 20 in-patient beds. The new hospital will have leading edge infection control and ventilation, wider halls for modern medical equipment, and larger patient rooms each with its own washroom. More information can be found by visiting www.backthebuild.ca.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the patients of the hospital and the people of Prince Edward County.

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About METRO inc.

With annual sales of $18 billion, METRO Inc. is a food and pharmacy leader in Québec and Ontario. Its purpose is to nourish the health and well-being of our communities. As a retailer, franchisor, distributor, and manufacturer, the company operates or services a network of some 950 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, as well as some 650 drugstores primarily under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners, providing employment to more than 90,000 people. For more details, visit corpo.metro.ca.

METRO

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1 800 463-2190

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Pictured at the Picton Metro Store from left: Briar Boyce, senior development officer with the PECMH Foundation; Carmen Kloet, bookkeeper for Picton Metro; Andre Gagne, vice president of Fresh Merchandising, Metro; Sally Cowan, Back the Build Campaign Cabinet Member and Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation.