From Monday, August 3 to Sunday, August 9, Tesco shoppers will be asked at the till whether they want to round up their bill to the nearest pound, with the additional funds donated to Felix and Trussell. Online customers can also donate via a link during checkout.
Summer Hunger Relief Efforts
Tesco is expanding support for children and families struggling to afford food during the school summer holidays. Children who normally receive free school meals during term time are at risk of missing meals. Trussell reports that food bank support for children remains 34% higher than pre-pandemic levels, including a 24% increase in emergency food parcels for children under five.
A survey by Felix (formerly FareShare and The Felix Project) found that 41% of local charities receiving food via its redistribution network saw increased demand in the last 12 months, and 13% saw demand more than double.
Pre-Filled Donation Bags
From July 6 to August 16 in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and July 20 to August 30 in England and Wales, all large Tesco stores will sell pre-filled food donation bags costing between £2 and £4. These contain nutritious long-life food and essentials, which are then distributed by Felix and Trussell to charities and food banks across the UK.
Kids Eat Free and Free Fruit
In 317 Tesco cafés across the UK, the Kids Eat Free scheme runs during the school summer holidays, expanded this year to include weekends and longer periods. Children get a free Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast, or Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix deal with each adult purchase (from 60p) when showing a Tesco Clubcard or Clubcard App.
From July 20 to August 30, children can pick up free apples at checkouts in over 800 large Tesco stores and 77 Express stores. Click & Collect customers also receive free apples at selected stores.
Quotes from Leaders
Christine Heffernan, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Tesco, said: “We want to be able to support our charity partners to help those needing a little extra support this summer. Our partnerships with Felix and Trussell are central to this aim. When you’re out doing your weekly shop this summer, dropping a few tins into a food collection point, picking up a food donation bag in our stores or rounding up our grocery bill, can make a difference to the lives of thousands of children in communities across the UK.”
Matthew van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive officer at Trussell, said: “Our community of food banks distributed more than 900,000 parcels for children last year, demonstrating the unacceptable levels of hunger and hardship so many families are currently facing. This isn’t right. That’s why the support of our partner Tesco is so crucial, providing in-store summer pick-up bags, making it much easier for people to support their local food bank throughout the school holidays. No-one should need to turn to a charity for something as essential as food, and as we work towards achieving the long-term change needed, Tesco’s and the public’s support will make a real difference to families across the UK during this school holiday. We are so grateful to Tesco and to everyone who donates food this summer.”
Charlotte Hill, CEO at Felix, said: “We know from speaking to charities receiving food via our network that demand for food support is growing as people across the UK face cost-of-living pressures. During the school holidays, families will be facing additional financial burdens as they juggle the cost of childcare and food. Many will be turning to their local community and charities for support. That’s why the donation bags in Tesco stores are vital. The food donated will be shared with charities and community groups that can offer not just meals, but spaces and activities for children to play and make friends during the summer holidays, relieving the pressure on parents. Any Tesco shoppers that can donate an item or two to Felix will be making a valuable contribution to helping to support children and their families across the UK this summer. Together we can make a real difference, thank you Tesco.”
