Local food banks, which are supported by customers at co-operative stores and funeral branches, will be getting an extra boost this winter with £40,000 worth of gift cards,
Southern Co-op, which supports more than 70 food banks with collection points, will be sending out 4,000 community gift cards worth £10 each to help families and individuals affected by the cost of living increases.
A further £25,000 is being donated to Neighbourly’s Warm Communities Fund – set up to provide ‘needs-led’ micro-grants to charities and community groups providing ‘warm banks’, food donations and low-cost-to-prepare food items.
According to Neighbourly, a network representing over 22,000 local charities and good causes, 65% of these causes have a seen a drop in financial donations yet the average annual energy bill for community charities is expected to rise by 119% from £7,600 to £16,700.
Gemma Lacey, Southern Co-op’s Director Sustainability and Communications, said:
“This winter will be especially hard for so many people in our local communities. On top of that, the local causes that people rely on for help, are also facing serious difficulties.
“We hope this targeted support will help make a difference alongside our in store food banks which provide the opportunity for those who are able, to donate products to support their local community.
“It is times like these when the community co-operative spirit is essential as we all come together to do what we can.”
It is hoped that the gift cards will allow people the opportunity to select their own products and possibly a small treat for the season.
The gift cards are on top of the food bank donations made by store and funeral branch customers every day. From January to September 2022, customers and members have donated 11,388kg of goods equating to approximately 4,783 meals.
Holly Bramble, Southern Co-op’s Community Lead, said:
“We all need to look beyond Christmas and focus on continued support throughout the whole of the winter and beyond.
“One way our customers can do this is by continuing to swipe their membership card every time they shop as 2p will be donated to our food bank partners each and every time they swipe.”
Funding for Healthier and More Inclusive local causes is available via Southern Co-op. To find out more about other donations and support available to local causes via Southern Co-op, visit https://southern.coop/how-we-do-it/community.
Or for more information on Neighbourly’s Warm Communities Fund, visit https://hub.neighbourly.com/business-response.
Community gift cards will be sent to more than 70 food banks supported by Southern Co-op’s Co-operative Food and Funeralcare branches. These include:
Beacon Food Bank in Havant
Bognor Regis - Trussell Trust
Brighton Food Bank
Burgess Hill Community Food Bank
Chichester District - Trussell Trust
Chichester Food Bank
Eastbourne - Trussell Trust
FareShare Brighton
Hastings Food Bank - Trussell Trust
Haywards Heath - Trussell Trust
Horsham District Foodbank
Salvation Army, Hove
Shoreham Foodbank
Sussex Homeless Support
The Purple People Kitchen in Portslade
Worthing Soup Kitchen