Post Office aims to raise £250,000 backing charity that runs food banks

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The Post Office is donating a penny for every cash withdrawal made over the counter to a charity that helps impoverished families.

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The Trussell Trust, which provides food bank provisions and financial guidance to help families reduce costs, will be the beneficiary of the new scheme.

The Post Office hopes to raise £250,000 over the winter to give to the charity.

Nick Read, chief executive of the Post Office, said: “This can be an incredibly difficult time of year for many people who are struggling to make ends meet and facing impossible financial decisions.

“We believe that no one should have to choose between heating and eating this winter and that’s why we’re extremely proud to partner with the Trussell Trust.

“By withdrawing cash at a Post Office counter at any of our 11,500 branches for free rather than using a cashpoint, we’re hoping to raise £250,000 to help the Trussell Trust fight poverty and hunger.”

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “Over the last five years, we’ve seen more and more people struggling to afford the basics such as food, heating and other essential items and being forced to use food banks to get by.

“This December, food banks in the Trussell Trust network face providing more than 7,000 food parcels every day, and we know that the vast majority of this support will be provided for people who are living in destitution – meaning they are unable to afford the essentials to eat, stay warm, dry and clean.

“This isn’t right and too many people will face impossible decisions this winter – like whether to switch on the heating or cook hot food.

“But together we know that change is possible. That’s why we’re so grateful to have the support of the Post Office and Postmasters up and down the country to help ensure that people in crisis can continue to access emergency food this winter and beyond, whilst also supporting our long-term work towards building a future where everyone in the UK is able to afford the essentials.”

The Post Office will run its charitable effort for the trust until 31 March 2022.