Shoppers in Lichfield donate enough food in one day to provide 1,000 meals to people in need

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 04/07/2018

Shoppers in Lichfield donated enough food in just one day to create 1,000 meals for people in need as part of a special collection event.

Members of Lichfield Food Bank recently spent the day appealing for donations at Central England Co-operative’s Food Store, in Boley Park.

Kind-hearted customers and members handed over the equivalent of 422kg of food during the day, as well as £360 to go towards the ongoing running costs of the vital resource.

Ian Coxon, from Lichfield Food Bank, said "Once again the generous customers of Boley Park Central England Co-op have done us proud.

“We are so grateful for the continued kindness of the people of Lichfield without which the food bank could not operate"

Mr Coxon also revealed that, since January, enough food  has been donated at the Boley Park Food Store to create nearly 3,000 meals for people who are at risk of going hungry.

These items have been deposited in a permanent collection point that Lichfield Food Bank has in the store all year round.

This is part of an ongoing commitment by the retailer, which has its head office in Hermes Road, Lichfield, to support over 50 food bank partners in 240 stores across 16 counties.

To compliment this year long support, a special Summer Food Bank Appeal is currently running until the end of August in order to help youngsters who might be at risk of holiday hunger.

Matt Simpson, Store Manager at Boley Park Food Store, said: “We are committed to working with local food banks across our trading area to provide emergency food and support to individuals and families in crisis.

“As a community retailer, we are aware that there are many people experiencing financial difficulties who may turn to food banks as a means of providing for themselves and their families.

“We are delighted to work with Lichfield Food Bank and are proud to have helped provide meals for people across the area in need.

 “We would like to thank our members and customers for supporting us on this collection day and throughout the year.”

Customers are encouraged to purchase a few extra items when shopping in their local co-op food store and add them to the donation bins. 

Good choices include cereal, tinned food, sugar, rice, dried pasta, biscuits, UHT milk, UHT fruit juices, tea, instant coffee and essential toiletries.

More details on the Central England Co-op’s Summer Food Bank Appeal can be found at www.centralengland.coop/summer

Notes to editors

Picture caption: Young shopper Noah Bailey, from Lichfield, showcasing the Lichfield Food Bank collection point at Boley Park Food Store.

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. 

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, travel shops, and property investment.

Central England Co-operative has over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2018.

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

Rob Smyth / Heather Clapton at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140

Email –publicrelations@centralengland.coop