Tackling children’s holiday hunger
Co-op Members have helped raise an amazing £19million* for local causes like Dundee Bairns - who feed children during the school holidays
We all want to make sure we’re doing our best to support our local community and give back. And now Co-op Members have been helping support their local causes just by doing their regular shop. Because when Co-op Members buy selected Co-op branded products and services, from a pint of milk, or a loaf of bread to a funeral plan, 1%* of what they spend goes to a local cause in their community, that they get to choose. Since November 2017, Co-op Members have helped raise £19million* for local causes across the UK.
One cause that’s benefitted from Co-op Member’s support is Dundee Bairns which helps support local children each year. The charity was set up by retired chief executive of Dundee City Council David Dorward when he realised that children who receive free school meals in term time had no such provision during the school holidays. That’s when he came up with a ‘Fun and Food’ programme for Dundee Bairns to provide free meals throughout the holidays to children who usually get them at school. So every October, Easter and Summer holidays, David and his team tackle “holiday hunger” reaching out to about 60 different projects in the more deprived areas of the city with a variety of meals to keep little bellies full. It’s also vital for ensuring children are getting the right nutrients they need to stay well and grow into strong, healthy adults. And there’s never any waste. Any leftovers from the scheme are then handed out to the youngsters to take home to their families.
“In the last two years, we’ve provided 100,000 meals. And we do all of that through funding from local charities and the Co-op,” says David. This brilliant work is really making a difference to the local community in Dundee, but it relies on donations. Thankfully for Co-op Members, it couldn’t be easier to help fund important work like this in communities across the UK.
During a recent visit, Ibrahim, a Co-op Member enjoyed seeing how his 1%* helps causes like Dundee Bairns. “I go into stores and use the card but I had no idea that 1% comes to charities like this. It’s really good to see the impact it has on the local community.”
As well as the 1%* going to a local cause when they buy selected Co-op branded products and services, Co-op Members also receive 5%* back into their online Membership account. So, not only do they help a local cause they get something back to spend in store on the next shop.