Aldi stores in East Sussex are set to ramp up food donations to support families and children at risk of food insecurity over the upcoming Christmas school holidays.
With the help of Neighbourly, a community giving platform that works with Aldi to donate surplus food to charitable organisations all year round, Aldi’s new Community Cupboard programme will see thousands of extra meals donated to East Sussex families in need this Christmas.
The new programme will also increase food donations to children during the February half-term and Easter breaks.
One of those local community groups includes Purple People Kitchen Food Bank in Brighton.
The foodbank was set up eight years ago to support those living in food poverty in Portslade and West Hove. Fast forward to now, and the group hands out around two to three tonnes of food every week to support the families facing financial burden.
Ann Menhinick from Purple People Kitchen Food Bank said: “Christmas is always our busiest period, but this year we’re expecting the demand to be greater than ever. The numbers seeking help has more than doubled since the pandemic, and Aldi’s contributions will help us to fill many cupboards and tummies over the school holidays.”
Luke Peech, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK, said: “At a time of uncertainty, it is vital that the important issue of food poverty is kept front of mind – and this is why we are working with Neighbourly to increase donations to families and children who need additional support this Christmas, as well as during other school holidays.”
Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, added: “We believe that tackling food insecurity is an important social issue and Aldi’s additional donations will go a long way to feeding thousands of children over the school holidays.”
The initiative is part of Aldi’s partnership with Neighbourly which donates 650,000 meals a month to charities throughout the UK. The Community Cupboard programme will see Aldi donate an additional 660,000 meals during the school holidays to causes that support children at risk of food security.
