SHOPPERS encouraged to donate items in store THIS WEEKEND WHICH WILL GO to local Causes IN NEED
Actress and comedian, Deirdre O’Kane is urging shoppers throughout the country to donate generously as she partners with Tesco Ireland to help launch the Annual Christmas Food Appeal, in partnership with FoodCloud.
Now in its sixth year, the annual appeal takes place across Tesco’s Extra and Superstores nationwide this Friday, 29th and Saturday, 30th November. The appeal encourages shoppers to support those in need within their local communities this Christmas, by donating a product when they shop in-store this weekend.
Over the two days, customers can purchase and donate extra items from a ‘shopping list’ of proposed products, which will be on display at front of stores nationwide. Non-perishable foods are paramount for local causes, with tea bags, pasta and rice, breakfast cereals and tinned goods top of the list. The Tesco Christmas Appeal also welcomes household necessities such as toiletries, nappies, small clothing items and toys, as well as food items to meet the needs of those vulnerable in our local communities. As they shop for their own home this weekend, customers are encouraged to pick up just one additional item and donate it to the Christmas Appeal Trolley at the front of the store on their way out.
All of the items donated during the appeal across Tesco stores will be given to over 130 partner causes from the Tesco surplus food donations programme, which is run in partnership with FoodCloud. These organisations will volunteer in store to collect the items donated over the two days.
Since 2014, Tesco Ireland has been a working with FoodCloud on a ground-breaking partnership that has donated over nine million meals to over 350 community groups across Ireland, diverting perfectly edible surplus food from stores to help those in need. Tesco is proud to partner with FoodCloud on its journey to ensure no good food goes to waste.
Geraldine Casey, Director, Tesco Ireland said: “Our annual Christmas Food Appeal enables us to provide much-needed food and household items to families for whom Christmas would otherwise be a more difficult time. Since 2014, each year we have collected over €100,000 worth of food for families through this appeal alone. Our customers have been so generous every year and this year, we have over 130 partner causes on board to collect items over the two days. If everyone who visits a store this weekend donated just one item, imagine the impact we could collectively have in communities across the country this Christmas.”
Aoibheann O’Brien, CEO of Food Cloud said “We are thrilled to once again to be part of the annual Tesco Christmas Food Appeal. At FoodCloud, our mission has always been to bring communities together through food while reducing food waste. Our volunteers are at the ready to receive donations throughout this weekend and redistribute them to families in need in their local communities.”
Campaign ambassador Deirdre O’Kane said “I’m am delighted to be involved in the Tesco Christmas Food Appeal this year. Christmas is one of the happiest times of year for my family, although I’m acutely aware that for other families it can be a very difficult time. Local good causes around the country play a huge part in helping families in need during the festive season and so I’m delighted to offer my support today and throughout this year’s campaign.”
To support your local charitable organisation through the Tesco Christmas Food Appeal, please visit your local Tesco store on either 29th or 30th November between 11am and 7pm and make any donation possible.
