Supermarket giant seeks food donations

The collection is run with partner charities The Trussell Trust and FareShare, who say they have seen increased use by families, struggling to put food on the table over the holiday period, particularly those whose children normally would receive free school meals.

Director Josh Hardie said the supermarket chain will match donations with a 30 per cent cashboost. She added: “It’s inspiring that our customers are so generous and give so much to help people in food poverty.”

Lindsay Boswell, CEO of FareShare, said: “Sadly food poverty affects a large number of people across the UK. From homeless hostels to breakfast clubs, women’s refuges to luncheon clubs for older people, these organisations need food more than ever.

“Our charity partners who cater for families and children have increased needs over the school holidays. This campaign enables us all to help in a simple, practical way, as every item of food donated will make a difference to vulnerable people in our community.”

The food collection will be launched with a colleague ‘treasure hunt’, with Tesco staff following clues to search the store for some of the food items that the charities need most. All the food found in the treasure hunt will be donated to the in-store collection.

The communities manager Georgie is up for the challenge. She said: “I’ll be ruunning around like a headless chicken. I’m very competitive.”