Foodbank signs new deal with superstore

Asda aims to drum up support from customers

Shoppers will be able to help out Renfrewshire Foodbank after signing a new three-year deal with Asda.

The supermarket’s Fight Hunger Create Change programme will work with charity the Trussell Trust and food redistribution charity FareShare to tackle hunger across the country.

To celebrate the new three- year agreement, Renfrewshire Foodbank, which is run by the Trussell Trust, is holding a two-week food drive at Asda Linwood to drum up support and supplies from the store’s customers.

Renfrewshire Foodbank manager Elizabeth Alexander said: “It’s going to be a great partnership, especially since our numbers are still going up.

“We already have an agreement with Tesco and the Asda partnership is in addition to that.”

There will be a trolley in store for people to drop off their donations and foodbank volunteers will collect on a regular basis.

In 2017-18, Renfrewshire Foodbank provided 8,681 three day emergency food supplies to people in crisis and 2,395 of these went to children, so the donations customers give during the two weeks will make a real difference to the foodbank’s work.

Elizabeth added: “No one in Renfrewshire should need a foodbank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food. Until that time, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most – but in order to do so, we rely on the community’s donations.

“We’re only able to offer emergency food, a welcoming space to chat over a cuppa and additional support because of the incredible generosity shown by local people.

“We’d love to have your support during the food drive at Linwood Asda to ensure we’re stocked up on the food we need to provide help to people from across Renfrewshire.”

Elizabeth said the foodbank is currently low in long life juice, tinned potatoes, tinned fish and long life carrier bags for people to take home their supplies.

To support Renfrewshire Foodbank, call 0300 102 2500 or email manager@ renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk.

You can also make donations at Unit 12, 80 Abercorn Street, Paisley on Monday and Friday from 10am till noon or on Thursday evening between 5pm and 7pm.

Everyone who uses a foodbank is referred by a frontline agency or professional, such as a Citizens Advice worker, health visitor or children’s centre.