Stratford Foodbank is asking the local community to help support people in crisis this Christmas by donating to the UK’s largest food collection.
The Food Collection will take place at Stratford’s Tesco Superstore from the Thursday, November 21 until Saturday, November 23. During the Tesco Food Collection volunteers will be greeting customers with a list of items most needed by Stratford Foodbank, and collecting donations.
Long-life food donated to Stratford Foodbank is given in emergency food parcels to people referred because they don’t have enough money coming in to cover essential living costs. Last year generous members of the public donated more than 3.5 million meals-worth of food during the Tesco Food Collection, and it is hoped even more is donated this year. The supermarket will be topping up the value of donations by an additional 20% to boost the food banks’ supplies.
Marion Homer Manager at Stratford Foodbank said:
“No one should need a food bank at any time of year – but we know during the lead up to Christmas, even more people in the Stratford area need help. We’re not alone – food banks across the Trussell Trust’s network see the same thing.
“Our volunteers will be doing all they can to help but food banks like ours need donations to make sure emergency food is there for anyone who needs it. In the past, the staggering generosity of the public, store colleagues and volunteers has made a real difference. We would love to have your support once again – your donations will help stop hunger this Christmas.”
The Trussell Trust’s chief executive Emma Revie said:
“We would like to thank everyone who has donated to help support their local community. It’s humbling to see how much people are willing to give, and the difference this can make when someone is in crisis. An emergency food parcel, listening ear and compassionate, practical advice at the food bank can be the boost someone needs to break free from poverty. All donations make a real difference.”
Tesco’s Group Communications Director Christine Heffernan also urged customers to donate:
“We know that the items that our customers donate can make a real difference to people who really need that little bit of extra help this year. Both FareShare and the Trussell Trust do amazing work and we are proud to do our bit at Tesco by topping up the public donations to the Tesco Food Collection by 20%.”
The Tesco Food Collection runs from Thursday, November 21 until Saturday, November 23 with donation points at the front of all Tesco stores in the UK and Northern Ireland.
For items suitable to donate at the food drive click here
Can’t make the food drive? Then why not donate to us on line? – in 2020 we hope to move to a new home so we are fundraising to make that happen – you can donate to our Foodbank via Just Giving here
