Foodbank grateful for Co-op donations
Rothley project created food parcels
A FOOD bank based in Rothley has expressed thanks for the support shown by customers and staff of Central England Co-operative.
The Co-op has said a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to customers and members in Leicestershire after they donated more than 40,000 items in support of its 2019 Christmas Food Bank Appeal – helping to create over 20,000 meals for people in need.
The retailer hosted a special month-long appeal in an effort to bring a little festive cheer and provide emergency food and support to individuals and families in crisis.
Colleagues at over 240 food stores across 16 counties used already strong connections with local food bank providers to encourage people to drop off one or more items – resulting in an amazing response.
Over 10,000 items a week were donated and, in total, over 40,000 were collected in just a matter of weeks.
This allowed for the creation of special food parcels that were handed out to provide over 20,000 meals during the festive period.
Tim Jackson, from Soar Valley Community Food Project based in Rothley, thanked customers and members for their support for the campaign, reporting that they were able to give out 35 food parcels just before Christmas, up from 22 in the same period 12 months ago.
Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-operative chief executive, said: “I have been overwhelmed by the fantastic response to our Christmas campaigns from customers, members and colleagues which have helped to make a real difference to people in need in our communities at this special time of year.
“Coming hot on the heels of our first ever Christmas toy appeal it is brilliant that our food bank appeal has still received such magnificent support.
“We now want to ask people to continue to support our food banks during 2020 so we can keep providing vital donations to good causes that can really make a positive impact on those in need.”
The parcels included items such as tea, sugar and cereals and other essentials such as toiletries and hygiene products to ensure people can maintain their dignity during times of crisis. They also featured festive treats ranging from boxes of chocolate to advent calendars following a plea for people to spread a little ‘festive cheer’ with their donations.
The Christmas Food Bank Appeal was launched on the back of year-round relationships currently in place with local food bank providers and hundreds of Central England Co-op stores, where permanent food bank collection points are in place in hundreds of its stores.
The store food banks have resulted in thousands of people every month from Birmingham to Norfolk being given enough food to cook meals.