Kind-hearted Co-op customers donate 40,000 items for food bank campaign in first month - but more is still needed

The campaign is designed to ensure kids do not go hungry and also to educate and entertain them and the Co-op has thanked customers for their efforts so far while urging them to continue donating as demand for support continues to soar.

In the first month, donations have already outstripped last year, with over 40,000 items have been donated by kind-hearted customers, and look on course for a record total, meaning thousands more children will not have to go hungry or struggle to be entertained and educated.

These donations will be shared out between over 65 food banks in the Co-op’s trading area. In Cambridgeshire, Peterborough Food Bank and Yaxley Food Bank are among those that will benefit. A total of 72,085 children currently live in poverty in this area.

The scheme, which runs until September, is an annual drive to collect vital food items to support those impacted by holiday hunger by local Co-op stores. The campaign comes on the back of research, by FareShare Midlands, that shows that across the 16 counties covered by Central England Co-op trading area 1,163,134 children are currently living in poverty and face being impacted by food poverty.

Items that can be donated include shopping basket staples like tea, sugar and cereals to other essentials such as toiletries and hygiene products. Also, food banks have requested drinks for children, as well as vital sun cream and after sun.

For the first time this year other items needed include small arts and crafts items such as crayons and paints, as well as school supplies such as pencil cases and stationery.

Hannah Gallimore, Corporate Responsibility Manager, said: “The response to our campaign, especially during these uncertain times, has been amazing and is a real credit to all of our customers, members and colleagues.

“This first raft of donations will most importantly ensure youngsters continue to be able to eat this summer and also allow them to be entertained and educated along the way.

“Thank you, but please keep donating so children don’t go hungry. Our food bank partners are busier than ever and this is why we need you, if you can, to drop an item or two at our collection points in stores this summer and help us make a big and long-lasting impact.”

Central England Co-op has also donated £100,000 to its food redistribution partner FareShare Midlands who will be providing food and resources to children over the summer months, plus the retailer will also be campaigning to see a change in Government policy to provide better support for those in need.

The campaign has also had backing from Hollywood with star of the big and small screen Michael Sheen, best known for roles including the Twilight Saga, The Queen, Good Omens and Frost versus Nixon, urging people to donate items of food to the Summer Support for Kids campaign and help youngsters impacted by holiday hunger.