Shoppers in Lanarkshire are being asked to donate what they can this weekend as charities warn of increasing need for food provision.
The 10th annual Tesco Food Collection, which is the UK’s biggest food drive, is taking place in every Tesco store including those across Lanarkshire in Wishaw, Coatbridge, Airdrie, Motherwell, Carfin, Hillhouse (Hamilton), East Kilbride, Halfway, Uddingston, Bellshill, and Rutherglen from December 1 to 3.
It comes as charities the Trussell Trust and FareShare revealed that they expect to provide food to 1.2million people this winter.
During the collection shoppers are being encouraged to donate long-life food items, which will support food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network to provide emergency parcels to people in crisis and help FareShare supplement fresh food donations to thousands of frontline charities.
Jim Burns, director of operations at Move On, operated in partnership with FareShare, said: “Ten years on, the Tesco Food Collection has never been more important. The ongoing cost of living crisis has forced millions of people into food insecurity.
“This event is crucial in helping to collect long-life food and we are immensely grateful to Tesco for their continued support which will help us to continue getting food where it is most needed.
"If you’re able to donate just one item at your local store, you’ll be helping to provide a meal for someone facing economic hardship this winter.”
Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, added: “Tesco and its customers are the biggest single source of food donations for the Trussell Trust’s network of food banks but our partnership has also offered far more than just food.
“Now, at a time when food banks in Lanarkshire are facing a tsunami of need created by the soaring cost of living, the support of Tesco and their customers is appreciated now more than ever before.
"We encourage anyone who is in a position to make a donation to visit a Tesco store and take part in the Winter Collection, you’ll be helping keep food banks open this winter.”
The items most needed by local foodbanks and charities will be highlighted in-store, and shoppers at larger Tesco stores will also be able to pick up pre-filled donation bags containing items that food banks and local charities have chosen.
Tesco customers can also round up their bill at the till over the weekend to make a small donation to the charities or donate Clubcard vouchers online, with Tesco matching their value.
Tesco CEO Ken Murphy, said: “Our customers have been incredibly generous during our decade-long partnership with the charities and have helped to donate more than 100 million meals worth of food to date.
“This is going to be a difficult winter for food banks and charities and every can, packet or jar our customers donate to this weekend’s Tesco Food Collection will make a difference. We will top up all those donations with 20 per cent in cash to support the charities.”
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