Community-conscious colleagues and customers at Newton Abbot Tesco came to the rescue of a foodbank that was running out of supplies.
Teignmouth Community Larder contacted the Newton Road store when the foodbank’s volunteers saw an increase in people needing basic provisions.
The foodbank was in need of basic long–life food such as tinnedor jarred foods and dried pasta, so the store arranged a special two-day collection.
Jackie Jackson, organiser and secretary at Teignmouth Community Larder, said: “We operate on grants and donations, and rising food costs and economic challenges such as we have experienced recently affect our ability to provide for those in need.
“For those who user our services, the cost–of–living increases forrent, mortgages, fuel and heating have tipped them over the economic cliff, and created debt, fear, and anxiety.
“When you add to this benefit cuts, redundancies, insecure or seasonal job contracts and personal circumstances, people are forced into using foodbanks such as ours. The cost of food itself has risen during the past year, compounding the other difficulties.
“Tesco understand all of this, and the response to the store collection was overwhelming. So many generous customers participated. They purchased their own groceries, paid for an additional food item, and kindly donated it to the Larder.
“Some donated more than one item, and the collection grew. The impact was immense – nearly 600 kilos of food poured in – which is a lifeline for families relying on the Community Larder. This food will support the Larder and its users for weeks and enable additional time for other funding to be found to continue our work.
“To the Tesco staff at Kingsteignton, I want to say that your kindness echoes far beyond the aisles, and you made the job easy for us, with friendly support and cheery smiles.”
The foodbank provides people in need with basic food packs, which can be collected from Bitton House on Wednesday mornings or delivered to someone’s home.
Janette Parker Tesco, Community Champion, said: “The foodbank contacted us to say they were really low on food and asked if we could we help.
“The increase in need has been mainly due to the increase in local people using the foodbank, and knowing how hard the cost-of-living crisis is hitting so many people, we organised a collection as quickly as we could.
“Our customers were asked to donate an item of food, mainly under £1, and this has proved very popular, with so many people giving generously.
“The foodbank’s wonderful volunteers also swung into action by attending the store, arranging the collection and storing of the food, and they even found time to talk with customers about the amazing work they do for the community.
“We are always glad to help when we can, especially important organisations such as Teignmouth Community Larder. Their volunteers are some of the most dedicated when it comes tosupporting their community.”
Photo (left to right): Hannah Shiels, Jackie Jackson, Roger Jackson.
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