Generous shoppers at Asda Portadown have donated more than 200 meals as part of a food drive in May, to help people facing hunger in the local area.
The supermarket asked customers to give food and essential toiletries in-store to support Portadown Foodbank, which is part of the Trussell Trust’s network of food banks.
The event took place as part of a national food drive in partnership with food banks across the Trussell Trust’s network, encouraging customers to donate an extra item or two to help support those experiencing financial hardship in Portadown.
Asda has had customer collection food trolleys in store for five years and in that time its customers have donated the equivalent of over nine million meals.
Elaine Livingstone, Community Champion at Asda’s Portadown store, said: “We know the ever-important role food banks play in our local communities, so it was great to see our brilliant customers do what they can to help. Of course, we collect all year round, but we are so thankful for their help during our food drive.”
Through the £25 million donation Asda has made to its charity partners since 2018, £5.7 million has been granted to food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network to provide wraparound services that help put money into people’s pockets, for example by ensuring people have all the social security support they’re entitled to.
The Trussell Trust’s Head of Corporate Partnerships, Sophie Carre, said: “We’re so grateful for the huge support Asda customers have shown during the recent food drive. These generous donations are helping food banks provide vital support to people who don’t have enough money for the things we all need to live – this is crucial right now, as the cost of living soars, squeezing incomes that were already stretched too far.
“Ultimately, it’s not right that anyone is left without enough money and has no option but to use a food bank. So, we’re really grateful for Asda customers’ support as food banks work to provide practical help to people right now, while we build a future where none of us need a food bank, because none of us will allow it.”
Beyond the partnership with the Trussell Trust, Asda also makes charitable donations through a back of store donation scheme, which in 2021, saw stores, depots and Asda’s home office donate enough surplus food to community projects to make the equivalent of 6.6 million meals and is part of the supermarket’s commitment to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.
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