TESCO supermarkets in Swindon is working with food banks to help vulnerable people.

Kind-hearted customers around the town are being urged to support the UK’s biggest food donation event this summer, with charities launching a huge recruitment drive for volunteers.

This year, the Trussell Trust and FareShare are marking 10 years of working in partnership with Tesco to collect food donations in its supermarkets. 

Both charities are reporting increasing need for food, so they are seeking volunteers to help out at collection points in stores during the Tesco Food Collection, which takes place at Swindon’s largest Tesco stores from June 30 to July 2.

During the collection, customers can donate long-life food to help food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network provide food parcels to people facing financial hardship, as well as to help FareShare in supporting frontline charities and community groups.

Volunteers are needed to speak to customers, encourage them to donate, and help them to choose items that are most-needed by Swindon food banks and charities.

Tesco will top up all the food donated during the collection with an additional 20 per cent cash donation.

The Trussell Trust’s network of food bank centres report a 14 per cent rise in food parcels handed out last year, while more than 75 per cent of the charity and community groups supplied by FareShare are seeing increased demand.

Trussell Trust CEO Emma Revie said: “As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, millions of people are struggling to survive. We know that too many families will be forced to use a food bank over the coming months because they are unable to afford the essentials.

“Supporting the Tesco Food Collection this summer by volunteering could make all the difference to your Swindon food bank during this busy period. You could donate a couple of hours of time and volunteer during the collection or you could donate food."

Lucy Bearn is operations director at FareShare South West. She added: “The cost-of-living crisis is having a huge impact on thousands of families and our charities are telling us that demand for their services continues to grow as a result.

“We would be hugely grateful to anyone who is able to volunteer at the Tesco Food Collection this summer, so we can continue to support those who need it most.”

Visit https://fareshare.org.uk/foodcollection/ or www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/tesco-food-collection/