A Christmas call from our local foodbank: ‘Please donate to the UK’s largest charity food collection’

The Devizes and District Foodbank – part of the Trussell Trust network – is asking the Marlborough community to help support people in crisis this Christmas by donating to the UK’s largest food collection.

 

This is the Tesco Food Collection which launches across the supermarket’s stores today (November 21).  And customers at Marlborough Tesco will be invited to give long-life food. 

During the three days of the Tesco Food Collection volunteers will be giving customers a list of items most needed at Devizes and District food bank, and collecting donations.

Long-life food donated to food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network 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 members of the public donated more than 3.5million meals-worth of food during the Tesco Food Collection, and it is hoped even more will be donated this year.  

The supermarket tops up the value of donations by an additional 20 per cent to boost the food banks’ supplies.

Liz Starling is Project Manager at Devizes and District  Foodbank:  “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 Devizes, Marlborough and Pewsey 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 your 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 Tesco Food Collection is organised with the Trussell Trust and with FairShare – the charity that fights hunger and tackles food waste across the UK.

Christine Heffernan is Tesco’s Group Communications Director:  “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 per cent.”

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.