AS PART of the biggest food donation drive in the UK, people are being urged to give the gift of their time as food banks and charities face continued levels of need.
From November 28 to 30, the 12th annual Tesco Winter Food Collection is taking place in all stores.
Tesco’s charity partners, Trussell and FareShare, are calling for volunteers to sign-up to support the event in store as both charities are providing a lifeline in response to record levels of need.
Donations for Trussell will help its network of food banks provide emergency food parcels, while donations to FareShare will support its network of 8,000 local charities and community groups helping to feed people in local communities.
Volunteers will help at collection points by speaking to customers and raising awareness on what impact donations make on peoples lives.
Trussell chief executive Emma Revie said: “Last year was really hard for food banks but the support of Tesco, it’s customers and the Food Collection volunteers meant that food banks could be there for people facing hunger in their local community.
“Everyone should have enough to live on, and alongside our community of food banks we are working to end hunger for good.
“But right now, we urgently need your help to make sure food banks can be there for people this winter and you can play your part by volunteering at the Tesco Food Collection.”
Kris Gibbon Walsh, CEO at FareShare added: “We know that the need for support often rises during the winter months, as people struggle to afford essentials like food and heating.
“That’s why the Winter Food Collection is such an important event, and we’re immensely grateful to Tesco for their continued support of FareShare.
“Together, we turn surplus and donated food into meals, transforming food waste into vital support for communities across the UK.”
Claire De Silva, head of community at Tesco, said: “Every year our Winter Food Collection gets such an amazing response from our customers.
“We know that they give even more generously when we have volunteers in our stores helping them to choose the right items that are needed so we would urge anyone who can to please sign up and help make a difference.”
Visit: fareshare.org.uk/foodcollection/ or trusselltrust.org/get-involved/tesco-food-collection/volunteer/ to sign up to volunteer.
