Products and £30,000 cash for 60 food banks thanks to Southern Co-op

Cards were scanned on nearly 300,000  occasions, which the independent co-operative is converting to 10p per swipe and rounding up to £500 per food bank.

From Alton and Banwell to Wimbledon and Worthing, all the food banks receiving donations are also supported by collection points in stores as customers can donate a range of products to those in need of a helping hand.

Gemma Lacey, Southern Co-op’s director of sustainability and communications, said: “We had hoped this campaign would bring together our members and engage them in a concerted effort to target food poverty and make a difference to so many local food banks.

“Not only does this demonstrate that there is power in co-operatives and our members, but it also shows that our members care about their local communities and small gestures go a long way.”

Between April 2020 and March 2021, food banks in the Trussell Trust network gave out 2.5 million emergency food parcels across the UK. Many were supported by food donated by people in their local communities.

Through financial donations, goods donations, volunteering and drop-off points in 97 retail stores and funeral branches, Southern Co-op staff support 60 local food banks.

The campaign ran throughout December with 10p donated from all Southern Co-op member transactions with no minimum spend.

Southern Co-op has more than 200 Co-operative Food stores across the south of England.