Central England Co-op has been working with food bank partners to showcase what items are needed to support people during these uncertain times.
The retailer is currently running an urgent food bank appeal to support its charity partners after they reported a major fall in donations at the same time as a spike in demand due to the coronavirus.
Organisations and charities have now created bespoke lists of what they need to ensure they can continue to make vital emergency food parcels in the coming weeks and months.
Items can be dropped off at special collection points at all Central England Co-op Food stores before being collected by food bank partners and handed out to those who need them most at this time.
The following items are running very low among the food banks we work with:
Tinned meat, fish and vegetables
Puddings, biscuits and cakes
Long life milk and juice
Small tins of coffee
Cooking and pasta sauces
Nappies and toilet rolls
Chief Executive Debbie Robinson said, “As a co-operative retailer, we want to make sure we are leading the way for our communities during this difficult time. We are asking people to show their co-operative spirit and donate an item or two so our food bank partners can provide emergency food and support to individuals and families.”
The retailer has recently launched a range of measures to help those whose lives have been affected by the coronavirus. This includes:
• A mass recruitment drive for Customer Service Advisors in many of its stores to ensure the community continues to be served
• Donations to FareShare Midlands and Dementia UK to allow them to continue their vital community services
Central England Co-op is also asking all customers to show ‘care, compassion and respect’ to its colleagues as they work around the clock to serve their communities.
The retailer is asking people to come together and support its front-line colleagues who are going above and beyond to replenish stock levels and keep stores open.
In its food stores, the Society has also put in place a temporary limit of two of every product to help maintain stock levels but has reassured customers that there are no issues with its robust supply lines and that shops are getting daily deliveries.