How generous west Leeds shoppers are helping a mission to end hunger

Asda Pudsey Owlcotes Centre customers have helped provide food by adding much-needed items to the collection trolleys, helping food banks who have experienced a significant rise in need since the start of the pandemic.

Last year, food banks in the Trussell Trust network provided 2.5 million emergency food parcels with almost a million of these for children.

Kloe Tegg, Asda Fight Hunger Create Change manager, said: “We are always amazed by the generosity of our customers in donating to what is a really important cause, not just during the food drive but throughout the year.

“Food drives are a vital part of our Fight Hunger Create Change mission to end hunger and these donations will make a huge difference to people in Pudsey.”

Karen Burgon, Leeds North and West Foodbank project director, said: “We’re overwhelmed by the amazing support from Asda’s customers and staff – and are very grateful for their generosity. Thank you so much! This donation will help us provide emergency food and support to people across the Leeds North and West area.

“Last year we provided 9,966 emergency food parcels to local people, and we’re always blown away by the amount of help and generosity people show in supporting our work. But ultimately, we don’t think it’s right that any of us are forced to turn to any charity for emergency food. All of us should have enough money for essentials. That’s why we’re working with the Trussell Trust to push for changes that will bring us closer to a hunger free future.”

In total almost 250,000 meals were donated across the two months through 382 stores. Since Fight Hunger Create Change was created in 2018 Asda and its customers have been able to support more than 1 million people by providing fresh food and access to support services to help people in crisis get out of the situation they find themselves in.

Through the £25 million donation Asda has made to its charity partners over the past 3 years, £5.7 million has been granted to food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network to provide services such as finance and debt advice.

Zoe Pate, senior food partnerships manager at the Trussell Trust, said: “We're overwhelmed by the generosity of Asda customers and are incredibly grateful for their support during the food drive. Thanks to their generous donations, food banks in our network have been able to continue to provide emergency food and additional support to people unable to afford the essentials.

"Asda’s support has also allowed us to keep working towards a UK where people don’t need to turn to a food bank for food, where everyone has enough money to afford the essentials. We are proud to work together with Asda and its customers to achieve our goal of a hunger free future.”

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