Nearly 200,000 meals for those in need

KIND-HEARTED supermarket staff have donated nearly 200,000 meals to those in need through a food surplus programme.

M&S branches across the city have gifted free, healthy food to charities such as MARCH Mental Health Support working with St Columba’s Cafe.

Since launching six years ago, Glasgow stores have given 197,346 meals to local causes, also including Ronald McDonald House Glasgow, the People’s Pantry in Govan, the Real Junk Food Project and Barnardo’s Youth Involvement & Family Support Project.

Ian Strachan, chairman at MARCH Mental Health Support, said: “We’re really grateful for the support from the teams for the donation of food on a daily basis.

“It means we can provide healthy, nutritious food to people who are homeless or are living in food poverty in areas of Glasgow and Lanarkshire, ensuring that nobody goes hungry.

“The support we have received from both stores, whilst foodbanks have been closed due to the pandemic, has been amazing.

“We’re able to deliver surplus food to those who need it the same evening we collect it – so no time, or food, is wasted.

“We’ve even been able to donate surplus flowers to local care homes to cheer up residents who are shielding, which we know makes a real difference to their day during this difficult time.”

The rollout last year of a new app makes it easier for colleagues to donate surplus food to charities.

This has allowed M&S to respond to the increased demand for donations from groups who are helping vulnerable people through difficult times during the pandemic.

The app is now in all 585 M&S stores, enabling many of them to more than double their food redistribution rates.

Across the UK, donations since March 1 have now surpassed the 11 million mark.

David Bates, regional manager for West of Scotland at M&S, said: “We’re proud of the role we play in our community and we’re continuing to contribute where we can. Our stores throughout Glasgow have been ensuring that any food surplus is donated to those in the local area who really do need it through our brilliant charity partnerships.”