TESCO, TRUSSELL TRUST AND FARESHARE PARTNER FOR CHARITY FOOD COLLECTION by Benson Agoha

* Neighbourhood Food Collection: Friday, 29th November to Sunday, 1st December, 2013.

Britains biggest Supermarket Chain, Tesco Stores is teaming up with two Food Bank Charities to fight hunger in families this Christmas.

It comes as the thre charities set up a research whih showed that more than one in four people in the UK have either skipped meals, gone without food to feed their family, or relied on family or friends to provide food over the last year.

The publication of the findings today is timely as Tesco, in partnership with Trussell Trust and Fareshare, prepare to embark on a one of the biggest food collection in aid of hungry families this Christmas.

The move, themed `Neighbourhood Food Collection' is due to take place from Friday, 29 November to Sunday, 1st December, 2013.

In a Press release today, Tesco said the three organisations will work together to raise food for families in distress this Christmas.

Chris Bush, Tesco UK Managing Director said “Signs are that the economy is improving, but we know that consumers are not feeling it in their pockets just yet... We want to use our scale for the benefit of the communities we serve and through our Neighbourhood Food Collection we are working with charities that are supporting the most vulnerable...I’ve been impressed by the spirit of communities across the UK who have been so generous in donating.”

Lindsay Boswell, CEO of FareShare said “This shocking research confirms what we’re seeing on the ground; people across the country are finding it incredibly tough...As the cold weather sets in it becomes even harder, as people struggle to keep warm and provide enough food for themselves and their loved ones."

Mr. Boswell said that support for this collection is vital in ensuring we can "provide our charities with even more food just in time for Christmas."

While Chris Mould, Chief Executive of Trussell Trust, said “The deeply distressing reality for Britain this Christmas is that thousands of families will struggle to put food on the table.. and with substantial numbers financially worse off than last year, he said more people than ever are turning to foodbanks. The generosity of Tesco shoppers at this weekend’s collection will be crucial in helping stop hunger this Christmas.”

Tesco said The Neighbourhood Food collection will take place in every Tesco store in the country and will help to provide much needed food for the for the 400 foodbanks in The Trussell Trust foodbank network and the 1,000 UK charities supported by FareShare.

The message said that volunteers from the British Red Cross will be supporting FareShare volunteers this year in Tesco stores for the first time.

Interested donors can give food in every Tesco store in the UK between Friday, 29th November to Sunday, 1st December, 2013. Customers are also able to make a financial donation online by visiting >>> [ www.tescoliving.com ].

* Twitter: @bensonagoha.

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