Volunteers needed in East Antrim for Christmas food collection

From November 19-21, FareShare and the Trussell Trust will be collecting food in stores across the province during the annual pre-Christmas Tesco Food Collection.

The need for supplies to help the food banks and community groups the charities support is more vital than ever this year, they say, given the pressures caused by Covid-19.

FareShare is looking for people to volunteer at donation points in store, whilst the Trussell Trust is seeking volunteers to share shopping lists on social media to encourage people to donate.

During the collection customers are encouraged to donate long-life food and Tesco will top up donations by 20% in cash.

Shoppers more likely to donate if volunteers are present to encourage them.

Foodbanks in the Trussell Trust’s network are expecting to give out six emergency food parcels every minute this winter.

Its chief executive, Emma Revie, said: “As we look to one of the busiest times of the year for food banks in our network, we would be so grateful if people can share shopping lists of their local food bank’s most-needed items on their social media to encourage friends and family to donate.

“Together we can make a difference and ensure that food banks are able to help people in crisis this winter.”

Meanwhile, FareShare has tripled the amount of food it has been providing since the start of the pandemic and will be supplying food to 11,000 front-line charities and community groups supporting people this winter.

Development manager in Northern Ireland, Declan McKillop, said: “We would be hugely grateful to anyone who is able to volunteer this year to encourage more shoppers to donate much needed ambient food to those who need it most.”

Volunteers will need to adhere to the Covid-19 rules in place in the store and locally when they participate.

People interested in volunteering can find out more and sign up at https://fareshare.org.uk/foodcollection