Lichfield Central England Co-operative customers help provide over 21,600 meals to support people in

Posted by nathan lloyd | Published: 01/12/2016

Generous customers at Central England Co-operative’s Boley Park Food Store have donated an incredible nine tonnes of food to a local food bank – helping to provide over 21,600 meals to people in the area.

New figures released by Lichfield Food Bank revealed that a total of 9,109.50kg has been donated by customers and members during the past two years since a collection point was launched at the store.

This has meant the volunteers involved with the food bank have been able to help feed a total of 21,600 people during the same time period.

Boley Park Food Store Manager Kev Morris said: “Central England Co-operative is committed to working with local food banks across its 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 delighted to have helped provide meals for people across the area in need. “We would like to thank our members and customers for supporting us in this project.”

Central England Co-operative now has permanent food bank collection points throughout many of its food stores.

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.

Ian Coxon, Chairman of Lichfield Food Bank, said: “Although it saddens me that there are so many local people in need of food, the wonderful kindness of the Central England Co-Operative customers is truly uplifting.

“On behalf of all the people they have helped I would like to say a big thank you."

During Christmas 2013, Central England Co-operative Society trialled an in-store food bank collection and such was its success that the Society now has permanent food bank collection points in dozens of its stores across its trading area.

The target is to have as many food stores partnered with a food bank as possible by the end of 2016.

James Knight, Member and Community Relations Officer, said: “We were proud to be one of the first major organisations to become involved with Lichfield Food Bank and have been blown away by the response from our members and customers.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all who have donated to this worthy cause and to urge people to continue doing so to ensure that people do not go hungry in the local area.”