ALDI has made a major change to its supermarket shelves – and shoppers will be pleased.
The change comes in time for Christmas to help cash-tight families and shoppers.
Aldi has is adding new signage to stores to highlight which products are the most in demand for food banks.
The change is supposed to help those who wish to donate choose which items to pick.
The signs will mostly be spotted near baked beans, teabags and toiletries – to be dropped by the food bank collection baskets near the checkouts.
All 970 stores across the UK are now taking part – with donated items helping towards the bargain supermarket’s Emergency Winter Foodbank Fund.
The fund is donating a total of £250,000 towards organisations as they prepare for a busy and cold Christmas.
Liz Fox, corporate responsibility director at Aldi UK, said: “We know that Christmas is already a particularly challenging time for many, but this year is understandably going to be even tougher for a lot of households.
“That’s why we’re more committed than ever to doing what we can to give back. We want to make food accessible for all and hope both our additional funding and donation drive will help to make a real difference.”
Aldi has partnered with community engagement platform Neighbourly to help donate surplus food every day, all year round.
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: “The cost of living is impacting communities up and down the country and the charities we support are expecting to see demand increase even further over the coming months.
“Without the support of the public and businesses like Aldi we’d be unable to help those in need. Within our network there are many charities and community groups that will be able to put this funding to good use, to support families that are struggling.”
How to donate to food banks
Due to the cost of living crisis, more people will depend on emergency services such as food banks.
In fact, there’s almost 15 million people living in poverty in the UK.
To find a food bank, the Trussel Trust is a non-government owned organisation and charity that is working to end food poverty.
You can find your local foodbank by typing your postcode into the online search bar on its website.
Doing so will bring up your nearest food banks along with contact details such as emails and telephone numbers for them.
There are over 1,200 Trussel Trust food banks offering support, but you can’t apply for help directly with them.
You will need to be referred by one of your local community organisations.
Examples of these are GPs, schools, churches, or advice agencies such as Citizens Advice.
If you’re not sure which local organisation can refer you, speak to your local food bank for some guidance.
You can donate money, food items, or you can become a volunteer.
If you opt to provide food donations, you need to make sure the items you’re giving are suitable for the support packages.
The products have to be in-date, and they have to be non-perishable items such as cereals, pastas, and tinned goods.
You can drop your items off at the food bank directly, but check its opening hours before stopping by to avoid unexpected closures.
Otherwise you can simply drop the bits off at donation points which are typically seen in supermarkets, schools, and some workplaces.
Some of the supermarkets with donation points in store include:
- Tesco’s
- Sainbury’s
- Morrisons
- Asda
- Lidl
- Aldi
- M&S
- Waitrose
- Iceland
- Co-op
And Trussel Trust isn’t the only food charity you can donate to, check out IFAN and Bankuet which are both fighting to end the food poverty crisis too.
To become a volunteer, contact your local food bank to find out how to sign up and donate your time as they will likely be in need of extra hands.
