Asda calls for ‘vital’ food donations as it launches national food drive to support people unable to afford essentials following Covid-19

Asda has launched a national food drive in its stores across the country, to collect vital food donations for food banks supporting people in crisis following Covid-19.

382 of the retailer’s stores will take part in the month-long food drive that will call on its generous customers to
donate vital food and hygiene essentials, which will support people in their local community. All donations will go to the store’s local food bank, whether in the Trussell Trust’s network or independent.

For the first time, the retailer will also be launching some new shelf edge signs that can be moved around the store, in line with what the local food bank is most in need of each week. The signs will help encourage customers to donate these much-needed items, such as tinned, non-perishable goods, and toiletries to the collection trolley in store.

The food drive this year is in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as food banks across the Trussell Trust network have seen a staggering rise in demand of 89% in need compared to April last year and the majority of the donations from store will be going to Trussell Trust foodbanks across the country.

Through the retailer’s Fight Hunger Create Change partnership with anti-poverty charities the Trussell Trust and FareShare, Asda is providing ongoing support to help meet the pressures faced by the charities and the communities they support.

Kloe Tegg, Asda’s Fight Hunger Manager said:

“We’re always overwhelmed by the sheer volume of donations our generous customers make, not just through initiatives like this food drive, but throughout the year as they continue to donate to our permanent collection points in store.
I want to thank our customers, colleagues for continuing to support our Fight Hunger Create Change programme, and in particular this year as we strive to help those who’ve been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. These donations are making a real difference in their local community, as well as on a larger scale as we support work to tackle the drivers of hunger across the UK”.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust said:

“Since the outbreak of coronavirus, more people have needed food banks than ever before. Our network is working hard to make sure emergency help is there for people unable to afford the essentials, but we really need your support in Asda stores this month. It’s not right that anyone needs a food bank in the UK, so we’re pushing for long-term changes that get money into the pockets of people who most need it. But while we do, food banks need your donations to make sure help is there for anyone who needs it in the coming months. Anything you’re able to give will make such a difference – thank you.”

Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive of FareShare, said:

“Thanks to Asda, since lockdown measures were introduced we’re getting out triple the amount of food each week to people who might not otherwise eat. It’s never been more important to ensure people have access to good, nutritious food and we’re grateful to Asda for their support during this critical time.”

The £20m partnership between the supermarket and the two charities has already enabled FareShare to double their capacity, meaning more food can reach people in need, while supporting the Trussell Trust to provide even more support to people referred to food banks and work towards a future without food banks through better research into the drivers of food bank use.

Earlier this year, Asda donated an additional £5 million to its partners FareShare and the Trussell Trust to help the country’s most vulnerable people through Covid-19. The donation has been split between the two charities and is helping to provide over 4 million meals to families who are experiencing poverty, as well as giving and more than 3,000 charities the ability to access free food to help tackle the impacts of Coronavirus in their communities.

Related posts

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.