In the run-up to Christmas we're working closely with food charities across the UK to help feed vulnerable people during the festive season.
We'll donate the equivalent of one million meals to food banks, charities and community groups – support that's in addition to the work we already do with food charities FareShare and Trussell Trust through our long-standing Fight Hunger Create Change programme.
The majority of the meals donated will come from our back of store donation scheme and from our depots, with good quality, in-date non-chilled fruit, vegetables, eggs, and bread products going to local food banks, charities and community groups.
Our community champions will also make donations on behalf of the store to their local food banks – like Beth Domingo, the community champion at our Oadby store, pictured above with a donation to Open Hands Leicester.
On top of this, we're launching a Christmas food drive. Many of our generous customers already make a difference in the local community by donating items to the permanent collection points in our stores – here's a trolley of donations contributed by customers at our Lincoln North Hykeham store:
A big thank you to customers and colleagues who have donated to our Fight Hunger Create Change trolley for Lincoln Community Larder. – Paula, Asda community champion
Posted by Asda on Tuesday, November 3, 2020
In the run-up to Christmas we're encouraging customers to pick up an extra item while they are shopping and donate it to the food collection trolley to be distributed to local food banks.
People have asked us for ways they can continue to support their local food bank if they're not able to visit our stores, so we're also launching a text to donate service, giving customers the option to donate £3 to the Trussell Trust by texting Asda to 70085. Please see full terms and conditions below.
Our chief customer officer, Anna-Maree Shaw, said: "We understand that for people in vulnerable circumstances Christmas can be an extremely stressful time of year, which is why we are pleased to be able to do our bit to help out.
"We know that before Christmas, food banks and charities see an increase in demand and this year it is likely to be greater than ever. We are extremely proud of the great work our community champions do to help their communities and thankful to our generous customers whose help will make a real difference to people in their local area."
We're also continuing to help provide food for local communities and those most in need through our 'volunteer shopping card', which gives those self-isolating a contact-free way to allow others to collect and pay for their weekly shop. They can be bought online and topped up to £150 worth of credit, which volunteers can then use to buy essential groceries.
Go to asda.com/volunteercard to sign up and buy a voucher, ready for use. The customer or their volunteer will then receive a barcode via email that can be used to pay for the shopping.
Text to donate service: Texts cost £3 plus your standard network rate. UK mobiles only, seek bill payer’s permission. 100% of the donation will be paid to the Trussell Trust (Reg. Charity No. 1110522). For full T&Cs visit donr.com/faq/for-supporters/
