Asda has announced an initiative open to people over 60 amid the cost of living crisis and shoppers have called it a "godsend".
The supermarket giant has revealed that pensioners will be able to get soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffee for £1 in any of its cafes across Scotland and the UK. It will run alongside the ongoing ‘Kids Eat for £1’ scheme that has seen over 550,000 meals served since it was introduced in June.
With the cost of living crisis continuing to worsen, and energy bills rising ahead of the winter, many households are expected to struggle financially in the coming months.
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Asda’s co-owner Mohsin Issa said: “We know that this winter is set to be incredibly hard for thousands of pensioners as they worry about how to keep themselves warm in the face of rising living costs and a fixed income.
"We’ve already been able to serve over half a million meals through our Kids Eat for £1 initiative in our cafes and we’re hoping our new offer of soup and hot drinks for over 60s will prove just as impactful for those who need it most.
"Meanwhile, the cost of living grant programme led by Asda’s charity The Asda Foundation will support grassroots organisations who are providing a lifeline in their communities during these tough times."
Taking to Facebook to share the news, one user posted: "Asda has announced it will be offering those aged 60 and over soup, a roll, and unlimited tea and coffees for £1 in any of its 205 cafes all day every day throughout November and December."
Before long, the post had amassed over 7,700 likes and more than 1,500 comments. Facebook users and Asda shoppers were quick to share their thoughts on the initiative.
One said: "That bowl of soup and plenty of brews will be a god send to a lot of elderly people not only that they will be warm and people to chat to as well."
"Brilliant, well done Asda," commented a second, while a third posted: "Fantastic news! Well done Asda...whose gonna beat that?"
A third shared: "That's an incredibly kind gesture. Well done Asda for showing that it's not all about profit. Community spirit is alive and well."
A fourth agreed: "Soup after shopping sounds good. Also a nice way for old folk to socialise without having to spend too much on meals."
"Well done great to hear the elderly are being thought about," echoed a fifth.
Meanwhile, a sixth stated: "Well done Asda! The amount of elderly that will be alone, cold, not afford to do food shopping this winter is heart breaking so this is brilliant."
However, others argued that the scheme should not be necessary, with one commenting: "It’s nice of them but in this day and age we should have enough pension to live on comfortably."
A second agreed: "Good on them, but it really does make me angry that it's come to this. What have we become?"
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