East of England Co-op donates £50,000 to local foodbanks and makes it easy for its customers to donate too

The East of England Co-op is donating £50,000 to local foodbanks this winter and is calling on customers to help boost its funding pot, as foodbanks face their highest ever level of demand. 
 
As the cost of living crisis continues to impact households, the East of England Co-op is providing support to 25 independent, Salvation Army and Trussell Trust foodbanks across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. 
 
As a co-operative, the organisation works with trusted partners including local foodbanks to ensure that everyone has access to good, nutritious food through a variety of initiatives including its Community Cares Fund. 

Each year, The East of England Co-op invests part of its profits through its Community Cares Fund to support communities across East Anglia. Since its launch in April 2020, the retailer has donated over £1 million to local organisations and charities through its Community Cares Fund and this support has helped over 95,000 local people. 

 
Now, as latest figures show the highest ever need for foodbank help, with the Trussel Trust network alone distributing three million food parcels in the last year*, the East of England Co-op is providing a funding boost to local foodbanks and calling on customers to join their campaign. 

Customers are invited to help boost this community support by making a donation when they visit one of the co-op’s stores or branches. 

Oli Watts, Chief Member and Customer Officer of East of England Co-op said: “We know that many communities are struggling this winter, and it’s important that we do all we can to help. Nationally, 17% of households are classed as ‘food insecure’, which means they ate less or went a day without eating because they couldn’t access or afford food**. This should not be happening, and we want to do all we can to help people in our local areas access the essential food and supplies they need.

“We’ve made it really easy for our customers to help too. Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly to our partner foodbanks, and will help to make a massive difference to local families this Christmas.” 
 
“We know this support will be really welcomed by the incredible network of foodbanks in our region, who are doing so much to help others.  Our thanks go to the many volunteers who give up their time to keep food banks stocked and open to help people who are struggling.”