Two charities providing food to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are appealing for people in Hertfordshire to help support the UK’s biggest food collection this Christmas.
From Thursday, November 19 until Saturday, November 21 charities FareShare and the Trussell Trust will be collecting food in Tesco stores across the UK during the annual pre-Christmas Tesco food collection.
The need to collect food is even more this year due to the pressures caused by the pandemic.
FareShare are looking for people to volunteer at donation points in stores, whilst the Trussell Trust is looking for social media volunteers to share shopping lists on social media.
Tesco will top up customer donations by 20 per cent in cash to aid the two charities in their work.
Foodbanks in the Trussell Trust’s network are expecting to give out six emergency food parcels every minute this winter.
Jo Stevenson, Trussell Trust’s regional manager in the East, said: “A crisis can often bring out the best in people, and we have been overwhelmed by the support the UK has shown towards food banks in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
“As we look to the one of the busiest times of the year for food banks in our network, we would be so grateful if people can share shopping lists of their local food bank’s most-needed items on their social media to encourage friends and family to donate. Together we can make a difference and ensure that food banks are able to help people in crisis this winter.”
FareShare’s development manager in the East, Mike Barrett, said: “We know that many people have already fallen victim to the economic impact of the pandemic and thousands more are at risk of losing their jobs and livelihoods.
“We have seen a huge increase in people turning to their local grassroots community groups for support and demand for food is more than double pre-pandemic levels.
“We would be hugely grateful to anyone who is able to volunteer this year to encourage more shoppers to donate much needed ambient food to those who need it most.”
People interested in volunteering can find out more and sign up at fareshare.org.uk/foodcollection.
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