Co-operative members generosity has been described as ‘a shining example of kindness’ after they raised more than £75,000 to help food banks and those who rely on their services.

The donation will be shared between 75 food banks which are currently supported by customers’ goods donations in Southern Co-op’s retail and funeral care branches across the south.

More than £48,000 was raised by customers swiping their membership cards as Southern Co-op has pledged to donate 2p to the pot per qualifying transaction.

Through the co-operative’s Share of the Profits scheme 2021/2022, a further £22,570 was donated by members. Colleagues donated the remaining funds from a one-off support payment.

John Saborido, from Bournemouth Foodbank run with the Trussell Trust, said: “A big thank you to all Southern Co-op’s customers who have donated food and household items to Bournemouth Foodbank and swipe their co-op membership cards in-store. Your generosity is a shining example of the kindness and compassion that exists within our community, and we are grateful for your support in these challenging times.

“Food insecurity continues to rise in the UK, with millions of people struggling to make ends meet. Your support makes a tangible difference in the lives of those who rely on our services, and we are so thankful for your help.”

Between February and December last year, 17,566kgs of goods were donated to foodbanks by customers and members.

In December £40,000 worth of gift cards were also shared by Southern Co-op to food banks across the south to help families and individuals affected by the cost-of-living increases.

Beth Rice, CEO of Repton Community Trust, said: “We’ve seen a 400% increase in demand on our food projects since December 2021 so the support we receive from Southern Co-op is vital and very much appreciated.

“Our biggest challenge currently is securing funds for running costs and staffing costs for our food projects which include a food bank, 24hr food lockers, food deliveries to vulnerable people, a kitchen garden, free recipe box schemes and a community shop (social supermarket). Food donations have also decreased as people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and inflation.”

Holly Bramble, Southern Co-op’s Community Lead, said: “It makes me incredibly proud when I see how much money and food our customers have enabled us to donate to foodbanks. One food bank we spoke to reiterated that every tin of food makes a difference and I have seen this first-hand.

“We know times are tough and many foodbanks have seen donations drop whilst demand increases. So we want to encourage our customers to keep swiping their membership cards but we’d also like to thank all of the people behind the scenes at these foodbanks who make the impossible possible. Thank you.”

Members of Southern Co-op, which is a regional, independent co-operative, have also made it possible for more than £26,000 to be donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian appeal. This was from Southern Co-op’s Share of the Profits scheme, and Southern Co-op donations based on the number of members attending the AGM and voting in the Board Election.

Berkshire

One of the Berkshire foodbanks to benefit is the Newbury Soup Kitchen which helps people by providing a broad spectrum of food and outreach to care for the whole person, physically, emotionally, and socially.

Meryl Praill, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Newbury Soup Kitchen, said: “Newbury Soup Kitchen would like to thank you for your kind offer to donate to our charity. Without the kindness and support of people and companies like yourselves, we will not be able to carry out the support we do on a day-to-day basis, your kind donation will help us with this.

“Working to give vulnerable people in our society a voice. This will help them grow in confidence and enable them to make better life decisions to improve their situation and future.

“Any donation allows us to carry on providing our services giving the help required to anyone who needs that extra helping hand and support. More now than ever the need to help people in our society isolated by poverty, mental health and addiction to find a home, security, safety and kindness is paramount.

“Our work has also extended to homeless reduction too as many of our clients are struggling to stay in their accommodations with the food and fuel price increases. Rent arrears fuelling a rise in mental health issues and addiction, a terrible cycle and one we try to break.”

Other foodbanks in Berkshire supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores include Lamborn Food Junction, West Berks Foodbank, and Wokingham Food Bank.

Bristol and Somerset

Lauren Pritchard, South & East Bristol Foodbank Admin Officer, said: “What we are seeing at South & East Bristol Foodbank is a dramatic increase in the amount of people coming to us for the first time and in the numbers of people that are using our services. Because of this we are seeing our stock levels go down a lot quicker than they were before, and we are now buying more food in than we have had to in previous years.

“We are incredibly grateful to so many in our community who are continuing to support where they can no  matter how big or small!”

Lenka Grimes, Fair Frome Coordinator, said: “Fair Frome Food Bank is seeing an increase in the numbers of people accessing their services, with the cost-of-living crisis and rise in food costs.

“Many Families are struggling to pay fuel bills and 40% of those coming are in work but on low wages that don’t cover their bills.

“Customers can help their local community by donating long-life food items like soup, jars of sauces, tinned vegetables, rice, jam, etc. and toiletries like toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo in the donation boxes provided in store. Thank you to all those that support us.”

Other foodbanks in Bristol and Somerset supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores include Banwell Food Bank, Bridgwater Food Bank, Help The Homeless Believe, Keynsham Food Bank – Trussell Trust, Nailsea Support Group, North Bristol – Trussell Trust, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, and Taunton – Trussell Trust.

Devon and Dorset

John Saborido, Marketing and Comms Manager at Bournemouth Foodbank, said: “A big thank you to all Southern Co-op’s customers who have donated food and household items to Bournemouth Foodbank and swipe their co-op cards in-store. Your generosity is a shining example of the kindness and compassion that exists within our community, and we are grateful for your support in these challenging times.

“A few items often overlooked are fruit juice, UHT milk, powdered milk, and toiletries like toilet rolls, shampoo and shower gel. Your contributions to these items, big or small, help to ensure we can meet the growing demand for our services.

“Food insecurity continues to rise in the UK, with millions of people struggling to make ends meet. Your support makes a tangible difference in the lives of those who rely on our services, and we are so thankful for your help.”

Other foodbanks in Dorset and Devon supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores include Exeter Food Bank, Exmouth Food Bank, Exmouth Friends in Need, Faithworks Wessex in Bournemouth, Kinson & West Howe Foodbank – Trussell Trust, Okehampton Food Bank, The Vale Pantry in Sturminster Newton, and Wimborne Food Bank.

Hampshire

One of the foodbanks to benefit is Fareham and Gosport Basics Bank operated by Friends of the Homeless which helped to feed over 7,000 people last year which is 50% higher than 2019.

A spokesperson said: “It all helps to make a difference. All of your customers have made a difference to us and our community. We are now giving out fresh food so it will go towards the purchase of apples, carrots, bread etc. Everyone gets some fresh stuff on top of tins and packets.

“The funding will only last about four weeks. Anything we buy now is going up in cost and there is a shortfall in donations in kind that we make up in whatever financial donation we get.

“It will really help us a lot. Whatever people give us, however small, one tin makes a difference.”

Other foodbanks in Hampshire supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores include Acts of Kindness Community (Solent), Alton – Trussell Trust, Andover – Trussell Trust, Basingstoke – Trussell Trust, Beacons Food Bank at Beacon Church in Havant, Fareham Food Bank, Horndean and Clanfield Food Bank, Jacobs Well in Gosport, Kings Church – Trussell Trust in Portsmouth, Liphook Food Bank, Lyndhurst Food Bank, Meon Valley Food Bank, North End Pantry in Portsmouth, Odiham Food Bank, Petersfield Area Churches Together, Refresh Bedminster, Ringwood – Trussell Trust, Romsey Foodbank, Southampton City Mission, The Bridge Centre on Hayling Island, The Lifehouse Food Kitchen & Drop In Centre in Portsmouth, Waterlooville Food Bank, Winchester Basics Bank, and Woodsy’s Pantry in Portchester.

Isle of Wight

One of the foodbanks to benefit is Pan Together which exists to support and provide a community hub for the residents of East Newport, which includes the Isle of Wight’s most disadvantaged area, ranked at 5.8% in England’s most deprived.

Rachel Thomson, Community Centre Manager, said: “Many people in our local area face multiple challenges and are amongst society’s most vulnerable and marginalised, including the shocking 35% of children who are growing up in poverty, against an England average of 17%.

“Having identified the growing need in Autumn 2021, our community support and anti-poverty services are (sadly) increasingly essential to local residents.  No one should face going hungry and the tough economic times are biting hard.

“One mum told us, “I’ve never asked for help before as I find it extremely embarrassing but I was getting so desperate I actually thought about stealing food to feed my kids”.

“We’ve seen a shocking 160% increase in requests for food-related support in the period from July to the end of September 2022 compared to requests from October 2021 to June 2022.  Sadly, demand is increasing monumentally – and demand is probably greatest from working families.”

The other foodbank on the Isle of Wight supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores is Isle of Wight – Trussell Trust.

Kent

One of the foodbanks to benefit is People’s Pantry – Repton Community Trust.

Beth Rice, CEO of Repton Community Trust, said: “We’ve seen a 400% increase in demand on our food projects since December 2021 so the support we receive from Southern Co-op is vital and very much appreciated.

“Our biggest challenge currently is securing funds for running costs and staffing costs for our food projects which include a food bank, 24hr food lockers, food deliveries to vulnerable people, a kitchen garden, free recipe box schemes and a community shop (social supermarket).

“Our utility bills are currently £2000 per month which is a huge cost to find. Grants for core costs such as staffing have reduced massively and volunteers have reduced with people going back to work after COVID-19. Food donations have also decreased as people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and inflation.”

The other foodbank in Kent supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores is Nourish Community Foodbank in Tunbridge Wells.

London

Tiajh Walton, from Wimbledon Foodbank Team, said: “Foodbanks across the UK are at breaking point, the cost living crisis is affecting all of us. Which means with food costing more than ever, our food donations have dropped by 50%.

“With that being said, the demand for foodbanks is increasing, with more new clients coming to us than ever before. From all walks of life, single parents working full time to pensioners on such low income they can’t survive. We are now facing unsustainable levels.

“As we push forward and aim to support anyone in need, we look to our communities to support us. From local supermarkets, schools to churches, all help is appreciated, but this is urgent.”

The other foodbank in south London supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores is Croydon Animal Samaritans.

Surrey

Harriet Lanyon, Farnham Foodbank Project Manager, said: “It is wonderful news to hear the Farnham Foodbank is going to receive £950. This donation will help us meet the needs of many of the area’s poorest families during a very difficult period.

“We have seen an increase in demand for emergency food support over the past year, with the rising cost of living making it harder for many people to afford even the essentials for daily life.

“Thanks to generous donations of food and finance from supporters like yourselves we are able to help make life for these struggling individuals and families a little easier and for that we are truly grateful.”

The other foodbanks in Surrey supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores are Just a Helping Hand in Chertsey, North Guildford Food Bank, Stripey Stork in Reigate, and Woking Food Bank.

Sussex

Sarah Adams, Operations Manager at Chichester District Foodbank which is one of the foodbanks to benefit, said: “Chichester District Foodbank relies on donations to provide vital help while building a future where no one needs emergency food.

“Last month alone they fed 432 adults and 280 children with emergency food parcels. This is a 77% increase compared with January 2022.

“As demand increases amid the cost of living crisis, their food donation levels have remained the same. They need our support to allow them to help the growing number of people who are struggling to buy the essentials. If you are looking to donate, check their website to see what items are most needed that week.”

Emma Dring, Senior Fundraising and Communications Manager at FareShare Sussex & Surrey, said: “Thank you for supporting FareShare Sussex & Surrey. In the last year we have provided 165 local organisations with more than 99 thousand tonnes of food. It costs us just 23 pence to provide a meal to one of our charity partners – so those 2p’s soon add up!”

Other foodbanks in Sussex supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores include Bognor Regis – Trussell Trust, Brighton Food Bank, Eastbourne – Trussell Trust, Hastings Food Bank – Trussell Trust, Haywards Heath Food Bank, Horsham District Foodbank, Littlehampton & District Food Bank, Salvation Army Hove, Sussex Homeless Support, The Purple People Kitchen in Portslade, and Worthing Soup Kitchen.

Natalie Williams, Community Engagement Director from Hastings Foodbank, said: “We’d want people know how much every donation means to us and, more importantly, to local people facing crisis situations this winter.

“At the moment we’d encourage people to keep donating food, especially if they got out of the habit during the pandemic lockdowns. Thank you very much for your support.”

Wiltshire

Maria Stevenson, Salisbury Foodbank Manager, said: “Thank you so much for this offering and supporting Salisbury foodbank.

“There are a couple of projects within Salisbury foodbank where funding is essential, for example, keeping our van on the road. Our van is on the road five days a week. With such a large outreach area and increase and fluctuations in fuel prices, we are spending in excess of £100 a month in fuel cost. £900 would go some way to support this lifeline for our charity.

“Another project to benefit from funding is our Citizen Advice Case worker. Since October as a pilot scheme we have been funding a case worker in our main foodbank setting in Salisbury.

“This pilot is working exceptionally well and with further funding we aspire to expand the service to reach even more people. The main aim of this project is to help someone using the foodbank through advice and advocacy to the extent that they never have to use a foodbank again!”

The other foodbanks in Wiltshire supported with donation points at The Co-operative Food stores are Bradford on Avon Hub, and Warminster & District Food Bank.