You could make a difference this Christmas
WHY CHARITIES NEED YOUR GENEROSITY MORE THAN EVER
WHEN Covid-19 hit, volunteers at Bechange Community Hub in Aylesham, Kent, knew they had to jump into action.
In normal times the centre provides weekly community lunches for people in need. But during the pandemic, preparing food in small teams in its large kitchen premises, it’s been able to deliver five cooked meals a week to families who have been affected.
The hub has been operating for more than 23 years, running workshops, clubs and classes to support people dealing with issues from financial difficulties to health problems. “During lockdown, we worked with local food banks, schools, and churches to find out who was in need,” says
Angela Doggett, chief executive of Bechange. “We had to learn a lot very quickly about food hygiene, how to pack a box and transport it safely – and we’ve been running this while still doing our regular support work remotely.”
People already struggling in nearby rural communities were hit hard. “For single parents to do their shopping they might have to take their children on the train or the bus,” says Angela, “Financially, some people didn’t know how they’d be able to feed themselves. A lot of them were just managing before, and this has pushed them over the edge.”
Tesco Food Collection donations from Fareshare has allowed Bechange to reach as many people in need as possible. “The food from FareShare has been brilliant – it’s allowed us to cook so much more on our budget,” says Angela.
For those who have been ill, a food parcel can offer peace of mind as well as essential nutrients. “For some of the older people especially, the pandemic has made life very difficult,” says Angela. “It’s a huge relief for them to know they’ll at least get that one meal a day.”
By joining the Tesco Food Collection, you can help community groups like Bechange this Christmas, and make sure local families facing difficulties don’t go hungry.
Last year’s campaign delivered 3 million meals’ worth of food – and this year Tesco and its charity partners, the Trussell Trust and FareShare, hope to exceed that target.
It’s as easy as putting an extra item or two in your shopping basket and dropping them in the Food Collection trolley at your local Tesco.
Like last year, Tesco will also be topping up the value of customer donations by an additional 20 per cent in cash. Remember, those few extra items could be life-changing for someone in your community this Christmas.
It’s a huge relief for them to know that at least they’re going to get that one meal a day