Deliveroo and the Trussell Trust have unveiled a new commitment to help provide over two million meals to people facing hunger crisis across the UK.
The delivery platform and NGO charity are now raising raising money for its food bank network and associated mental health and financial support services, as part of its global Full Life campaign.
Following the success of the partnership over the last year, customers in the UK will be able to continue showing their support through a round-up donation function in the Deliveroo app as they complete their food orders.
The initiatives that are funded through the partnership will not only meet the rising need for food banks but also support people to increase their income, which means they can afford the essentials and no longer need to access a food bank.
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The commitment comes as new research finds that over a third (36%) of people describe themselves as financially insecure.
This is reportedly impacting mental health across the country, with a third (30%) of respondents feeling overwhelmed and anxious at least once a week thinking about the rising cost-of-living. However, over a third (38%) who have sought mental health support said it wasn’t clear where they could get help.
Whether it’s help with essentials like food and toiletries, providing advice to people worried about money, or delivering a pathway to mental health support, Deliveroo consumers’ donations will fund the Trussell Trust’s work in association with partners like Citizens Advice and Mind to help people experiencing hardship.
Last month, Deliveroo expanded its rapid grocery delivery service in London after a surge in demand from customers who live in the Capital.
As part of the partnership, Deliveroo will also support the Trussell Trust through its employee volunteering initiative called ‘The Big Deliver’, which has seen over 500 Deliveroo employees volunteer with the company’s charity partners across several markets over the past year.
As Deliveroo’s partnership donated over two million meals last year, this year they are looking to double it to four million.
“At Deliveroo we want to use our unique network for good and help support people facing hardship,” CEO and founder at Deliveroo, Will Shu said.
“Last year, our partnership with the Trussell Trust provided two million meals for people facing hunger and this year we are going further.
“Donations from our generous customers will help deliver even more meals but also provide vital funding for critical financial guidance and access to mental health services, and the team here at Deliveroo will be lending their expertise to the Trussell Trust.
“Together we want to play our part in helping to tackle food insecurity and hunger in the UK,” Shu concluded.
Chief operations and people officer at the Trussell Trust, Samantha Stapley commented: “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Deliveroo and look forward to building on the significant success of the previous year which generated vital funding for the wide range of services that food banks in our network provide.
“The generosity of Deliveroo and their customers is needed now more than ever as food banks in our network are experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people accessing their services.
“The partnership is not only helping provide emergency food to help food banks meet the rising levels of need, but also funding initiatives that connect people to mental health support and deliver personalised financial guidance to help people increase their income so that they do not need to visit a food bank again.”
Stapley added: “Deliveroo’s commitment is not only helping people facing poverty now but also supporting us to achieve our vision of a future without the need for food banks.”
