Sabina Group Donates 21 Tons of Food to Canary Islands Families

In the Canary Islands, where many families face financial struggles, the Sabina Group stands out. It's not just a leader in perfumes and fashion, but also a strong example of social commitment. Aware of the difficulties many local families experience, the company uses its business success to help those in need and promote community support.

Last Christmas, the Sabina Group once again showed its dedication to social causes with a significant donation to Cáritas Diocesana. Between December 5, 2024, and January 5, 2025, they collected 21,381 kilograms of essential food items. This included products like milk, rice, pasta, gofio, oil, legumes, sugar, and personal hygiene gels. This initiative aims to support the most vulnerable families across the islands, with distribution handled by Cáritas volunteers and networks, always respecting the dignity of those receiving aid.

This charitable campaign began in 2012. It involves donating 1% of the company's Christmas sales – a crucial period for the perfumery sector – as food to Cáritas. Since its start, public support has been overwhelming: 6,450 kilos were donated in 2012, 11,264 in 2013, and over 20,000 kilos in 2019, just before the pandemic. Following the recovery of business activity, the Sabina Group has accumulated over 160,000 kilograms of food in ten years. This strong commitment to charity complements other company initiatives, such as campaigns for gender equality, animal protection, and support for people affected by breast cancer.

The Sabina Group's success isn't limited to its charitable efforts. With eleven stores spread across the islands, the company has become a benchmark in beauty and fashion. It's known for its excellent customer service, elegant atmosphere, and carefully chosen product selection. These qualities have earned it awards, such as "Best Tourist Perfumery in Spain" from BeautyProf magazine. However, what truly sets the company apart is its dedication to the community, a value its executives consider as important as business excellence.

Lalo Daswani, the president of the Sabina Group, emphasizes, "These acts of solidarity are our way of giving back to the Islands everything they have allowed us to achieve in this sector. We also thank our customers from last Christmas for helping to make these initiatives possible; it is very important to us that those around us are well."

The Sabina Group's employees play a key role in these actions. They work with a spirit of solidarity and positivity, caring for both customers and staff, who are fundamental to the company's structure. Gilberto Castillo, the managing director, highlights, "This constant growth in food collection for Cáritas fills us with pride and gratitude. It strengthens our bond with Canarian society, as we are convinced that this aid truly reaches those in need."

While the Sabina Group has expanded into Europe and has a strong online business, solidifying its position as a sector leader, its roots and commitment remain firm in the Canary Islands. This is particularly relevant in a region where severe poverty affects 365,055 people, with incomes below 454 euros per month per person, according to the XII Arope Report by the European Anti-Poverty Network and Social Exclusion of the Canary Islands (EAPN). In 2021, 37.8% of the population was at risk of poverty or social exclusion, a figure 10 percentage points higher than the national average.

In this context, the work of Cáritas Diocesana de Canarias, active since 1955, is essential. Their efforts range from managing soup kitchens and distributing food to providing healthcare assistance and education, always adapting to the changing needs of Canarian society. Cáritas reaches those whom public administrations cannot, serving as vital support for the most vulnerable. The organization's experience has strengthened its ties with Sabina across all the islands, allowing them to address specific difficulties and support families in their daily lives.

Beyond addressing immediate emergencies and filling food cupboards, the collaboration between the Sabina Group and Cáritas creates an impact that goes beyond material aid. It's a commitment that strengthens community bonds, gives dignity to those facing difficult situations, and projects a model of corporate responsibility that gains importance in uncertain times. The group's sustained involvement – renewing its commitment year after year to provide resources, mobilize its customers, and raise awareness about the social reality of the Islands – makes this initiative a benchmark for how the business sector can actively contribute to the common good.

The combination of Cáritas's organizational capacity, the backing of a leading company like Sabina, and the participation of hundreds of citizens creates a positive cycle that goes beyond a one-time donation. It fosters confidence that change is possible. In this way, the campaign promoted by Sabina not only offers tangible help but also recognition, support, and the certainty that no family should face difficulties alone.

At a time when the islands continue to grapple with worrying levels of poverty and exclusion, gestures like this acquire immense symbolic and practical value. They demonstrate that when people work together, lasting positive changes can be generated that reach those who need them most.