Big-hearted Monklands residents are being asked to contribute to a major foodbank collection next month.
Tesco is running its annual pre-Christmas collection in all stores from November 19-21, with customers also able to donate at its convenience stores from November 16.
It is taking place in conjunction with foodbank charities Fareshare and the Trussell Trust – who say their work is “more vital than ever this year given the pressures caused by Covid-19”.
Last year’s collection of non-perishable food items resulted in the equivalent of three million meals being donated across the country; and Tesco will add to customer donations with a 20 per cent cash top-up to help the two charities in their work.
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Umbrella group Trussell Trust, which includes Airdrie foodbank, is asking people to share shopping lists on social media to encourage donations – saying they expect “to give six emergency food parcels every minute this winter” across the country.
Airdrie and Coatbridge area manager Leah Baillie said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support has shown towards foodbanks in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
“Looking towards one of the busiest times of the year for foodbanks in our network, we’d be so grateful if people could share lists of their local foodbank’s most-needed items – together we can make a difference and ensure foodbanks are able to help people in crisis.”
FareShare has trebled the amount of food it has been providing since the start of the pandemic, and development manager Scott Crawford said: “We know that many people have already fallen victim to the economic impact of the pandemic.
“Demand is more than double pre-pandemic levels, and we’ve seen a huge increase in people turning to community groups for support.”
