Asda has launched its national food drive, asking customers to donate food and essential toiletries in-store to help food banks and local communities.
Taking place at the Big 4 grocer’s 390 superstores until 7 June, the drive will see Community Champions and volunteers from food banks in The Trussell Trust network encouraging customers to give what they can.
Each store will feature message boards and information by products signposting customers to which items are needed most.
Some stores will also be joined by the local charities, who will have stalls and information about their community projects, as well as a donation bucket.
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Asda’s food drive in 2022 saw the equivalent of over 193,000 additional meals being generated, and the supermarket giant has now extended this year’s timeframe from two days to a week, allowing customers more opportunities to donate.
“With people struggling to afford things that we all need, food banks are playing a more important role than ever. These donations are crucial to supporting the local community and we are hoping this food drive encourages a positive increase in donations,” Asda Better Starts manager, Ashlee Couldwell, said.
Over the past 12 months, food banks in the Trussell Trust network have provided a record number of food parcels, with almost three million given out.
The Trussell Trust interim head of corporate partnerships, Zoe Pate, added: “While we work to build a future where everyone has enough money for the things we all need, we are grateful to Asda for holding their annual food drive.
“The weeklong food drive will help the food banks in our network to provide vital support to people locked in poverty and help to make a real difference to local communities across the UK.”
