Tesco announces £15 million food donations to support food banks and local community groups

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Today Tesco has confirmed that over the next 12 weeks it will be providing a top up food donation of £15 million of food (ambient and fresh) to FareShare and the Trussell Trust, as part of a wider £25 million package of support they have set up for local communities during the current Covid-19 outbreak. They are also donating £1 million between the two organisations.

This support comes at a critical time as the pressure the pandemic is putting on people’s income builds and the possibility of an increased need for emergency food grows. The food they supply will be distributed to community groups and food banks so that it can reach people in crisis as quickly as possible, with the additional funding supporting FareShare and the Trussell Trust’s continuing operations to support charities in their networks.

The Trussell Trust’s CEO, Emma Revie, said:

“We are so grateful for this support from Tesco. As the pandemic develops, we’re working closely with food banks to ensure people who can’t afford essentials can get an emergency food parcel. But we can only provide that vital lifeline if we have food for those parcels.

“During any normal year, the next twelve weeks would see a squeeze on food bank stock levels, as donations often dip with the approach of summer. When we add the pressure this pandemic is putting on people’s incomes, and the possible increased need for emergency food, Tesco’s support really couldn’t come at a more critical time.

“Everyone should be able to afford their own food and we’ll be continuing our work to end the need for food banks, but right now more people than ever are likely to need our network’s help. That’s why Tesco’s support will make such a difference in communities across the UK.”

The wider package of support includes additional funding for Tesco’s existing Bags of Help community donation scheme; funding that stores can access to support causes in their local area; and a development of Tesco’s existing partnership with the British Red Cross as they work to support people in crisis.

Tesco Group CEO, Dave Lewis, said:

“Our stores are at the heart of the communities we serve and as well as supporting our customers and colleagues, we want to help those who need it most, locally. We will significantly boost our food donations programme, to ensure food banks and community groups have the supplies they need; whilst giving extra resources to the British Red Cross and focus our Bags of Help scheme to deliver more community support where its most needed at this difficult time.”