Central England Co-operative has launched an Easter Foodbank Appeal to support people in need across its trading area.
Following a similar campaign over Christmas which collected 60,000 items, the society wants customers and members to drop items into its 200 store food banks. The appeal, which runs from19 March – 2 April, is asking for toiletries and hygeine products as well as food staples such as tea, sugar or cereals.
The items will be turned into parcels with enough food to make meals three days and distributed to people in need across the 16 counties where Central England trades.
Chief executive Martyn Cheatle said: “Everyone involved with the society was delighted with the amazing response by customers and members to our Christmas Foodbank Appeal and this is why we have decided to help people in need this Easter.
“Our Christmas campaign saw enough food donated to create 5,500 food parcels and make a real difference in our communities.
“We want to continue to help people by continuing our great work with food banks and this is why we are launching our Easter Foodbank Appeal to encourage our customers and members to help provide vital food and supplies for people across the area.
“All we are asking is that people drop off one or more items into our food banks this Easter and help make a real difference.”
The society, which has permanent collection points in its stores, works with over 50 different food banks to provide emergency food and support to people experiencing difficulties.
One of these is the Hope Centre food bank in Derbyshire, which is backing the Easter Foodbank Appeal. It is run by Paul Brookhouse, who said: “We have to remember that there are people who are in very difficult situations all year round who need our help and support.
“During Easter we ask for people not to just donate chocolate or Easter eggs, but the vital everyday items we need such as cereal, tinned meat and fish and UHT milk. Just one item would make a huge difference to help us as a foodbank ensure that people do not go hungry.”
The full list of participating Central England stores can be found at https://www.centralengland.coop/beingcoopy.
