Supermarkets’ “amazing” response to Mayor’s food bank appeal
Big name supermarkets and customers making a real difference
The response by Eastleigh Borough supermarkets and their customers to an appeal for food bank donations has been described as “amazing” by the Mayor, Councillor Darshan Mann.
Big name food retailers, including Asda, Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S and the Co-op have thrown their weight behind a Council campaign to secure much-needed food and other items to meet the high demand at the Borough’s three foodbanks. The supermarkets have contributed goods direct to the food banks, in Hedge End, Netley and Eastleigh town centre, as well as encouraging customer donations within their shops.
The Mayor wrote to the supermarkets last week asking for groceries – and for poster space to encourage their customers to place donations in collection trolleys. Their response was very positive and, as a result, additional trolley loads of groceries, toiletries and other items have been sent to people across the Borough who are in most need because they are vulnerable and self-isolating.
The Council is currently approaching other shops around the Borough to see if they would also like to take part. Meanwhile, local companies, such as Global Ceramic Tiling, have come on board to offer help with distribution alongside vehicles and drivers from the Council’s parking enforcement team and the OneCommunity charity.
Councillor Mann said: “The response to this campaign has been amazing. The people of our Borough have really got behind our appeal for food bank donations and, together with the huge contribution from our local supermarkets, are making a real difference to the lives of their vulnerable and isolated neighbours. I’d like to thank the supermarkets and their customers, as well as the many volunteers – and to remind everyone that there is still a very high demand for contributions, so please keep putting items in the collection trolleys!”