Food bank appeal to feed hungry West Midlands children over summer

Lichfield-based Central England Co-op will have special collection points in all of its stores from July 8 to September 15 and is encouraging customers and members to donate items from a special list devised with the help of local food bank partners.

The food will then be used to create either bigger food parcels for families with children or to provide special packed lunches for projects that tackle holiday hunger during the summertime.

Food banks often see a rise in demand from families who see the safety net of free school meals removed during the summer holidays.

This often leaves people trying to stretch their budgets in order to eat and in some cases going without proper food during the holidays.

Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-operative chief executive, said: “We at Central England Co-op have worked closely with our food bank partners to come up with a special campaign during the summer months to try and help combat the issue of holiday hunger.

“Our summer food bank appeal will run from July to September and today we are appealing to our customers and members to support us and help make a real and positive impact in their local area.

“We are asking for people to drop off as many items as they can into our food bank collection points in our stores and play a part in making a real difference to children and families.”

Items that can be donated include shopping basket staples from tea, sugar and cereals to other essentials such as toiletries and hygiene products.

Last year, the retailer appeal resulted in 141,000 items being donated, creating enough food to help feed over 35,000 children and families.

The society works with more than 50 different food banks across 16 counties to provide emergency food and support to individuals and families in crisis throughout the year.