Foodbank handed out 7,000 parcels
RUNCORN And District Foodbank (RDF) distributed more than 7,000 meals to residents in need thanks to the generosity of shoppers in nearby Helsby.
Colin Keiley, RDF manager, said 7,177 emergency parcels in total were donated following the collection at Tesco on Chester Road.
Supermarket shoppers were asked to donate long-life items to help lone residents and families in need, with the supermarket chain topping up the customer donations’ value by 20%.
Runcorn foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust network, which across the UK and together with the charity FareShare donated 3m meals’ worth of food that had been gathered from Tesco by December 2.
Mr Keiley said Tesco shoppers had now donated more than 49m meals since the food collection scheme began in 2012.
He said the retailer’s 20% top–up donation helps the charities by providing funding to run the foodbanks and distribute packs to those in need.
The branch manager has thanked everyone who has contributed including volunteers.
Mr Keiley said: “Thank you so much to everyone who donated during the food collection.
“We rely on the support of people In Runcorn, Frodsham and Helsby to make sure there is enough emergency food for people referred to us so we’re very grateful for the way the community pulled together in the lead up to this Christmas.
“Because of your support, in the last few weeks the foodbank has been able to help hundreds of local people, and the warehouse is bursting at the seams – a huge thank you.”
Samantha Stapley, The Trussell Trust’s head of operations, said: “Our foodbank network has spent the last month making sure that people referred to them with no money for food don’t go hungry this Christmas.
“This work has been made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of Tesco customers, store colleagues and volunteers during the food collection. Thank you for your support – your generosity has stopped hunger this Christmas.”
Alec Brown, Tesco’s head of community, said: “Every year we are taken aback by the generosity of customers who give to the food collection in our stores across the UK.
“We know that this annual collection will make a real difference in Runcorn, Frodsham and Helsby and we would like to thank everyone who has donated, volunteered or helped with the food collection in store.
“Food collection is just one of the ways that Tesco has been supporting the two food charities.”