Tesco has offered up support to communities fighting coronavirus with a multi-million national cash boost.
The supermarket giant pledged a £30m support package, including a £25m food donations programme.
Local stores, including those in St Leonards and Westwood in East Kilbride, will have access to more than £1m of funding so they can support causes in their area.
The company currently donates £3m of food every month through its Community Food Connection scheme and distribution centres.
On top of that, it will now provide food donations of £15m of food to FareShare and the Trussell Trust over the next 12 weeks – food they need for community groups and foodbanks.
Tesco will also donate £1m between the two organisations to support their continuing operations.
The supermarket giant also intend to focus £2m of funding from its existing Bags of Help community donation scheme to charities that are helping the most vulnerable.
Tesco Group CEO, Dave Lewis, said: “Our stores are at the heart of the communities we serve and as well as supporting our customers and colleagues, we want to help those who need it most, locally.
“We will significantly boost our food donations programme, whilst giving extra resources to the British Red Cross and focus our Bags of Help scheme to deliver more community support where it’s most needed.”
Mike Adamson, chief executive of British Red Cross, said: “We are extremely thankful for Tesco’s generous donation which together will help us continue our vital work.”
To apply for Bags of Help funding, go to www.tescobagsofhelp.org.uk
