Tesco shoppers have been thanked for donating over 1.5 million meals-worth of food to help charities feed venerable people during the festive period.
During its twice-yearly Tesco Food Collection, which ran in all of the Big 4 grocers stores in the UK from 18-20 November, customers were asked to donate long-life food to support FareShare and the Trussell Trust.
Stores across the UK reported that customers had given the “highest volume” of food donations to support local charities since the start of the pandemic, providing 1.57 million meals during the campaign.
Tesco also topped up all customer donations with a 20% cash donation to the two charities.
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FareShare chief executive Lindsay Boswell said shoppers’ donations would make a huge difference to the frontline charities they supplied.
“The Food Collection is so important to FareShare because donations of long-life items mean we are able to complement the fresh food that we receive year round from Tesco with staples like rice, tinned vegetables and tea and coffee,” he said.
“Thank you to every single Tesco customer who donated to the food collection this year – your generous donations will help us to continue supporting local charities and community groups that are helping to feed people in need this winter.”
The donations will help foodbanks in the Trussell Trust’s network provide emergency parcels and to help FareShare supply thousands of frontline charities.
“Throughout 2021, communities across the UK have stepped in to provide vital support to people at food banks, left without enough money for the essentials,” Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie added.
“This emergency lifeline is only possible due to the incredible compassion and generosity of Tesco customers during the Tesco Food Collection.”
Tesco head of community Claire de Silva concluded: “At this time more than ever, we are hugely grateful for the support of all our customers who have donated and our volunteers in store for making this the biggest collection of long-life food in our stores since the start of the pandemic.
“We know will make a really significant difference to local people this winter.”
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