FareShare Sussex And Surrey Urges Volunteers To Join Biggest Winter Campaign Yet

FareShare Sussex & Surrey is calling for volunteers to support its Tesco Food Collection this November, as the charity aims to gather 18 tonnes of food donations in just three days to help prevent hunger this winter.

From Thursday 28 November to Saturday 30 November, FareShare Sussex & Surrey will be collecting customer donations of dry goods and cupboard essentials at ten large Tesco stores across both counties, and volunteers are needed to greet shoppers and to help pack the items. 

In addition to stores in Lewes, Hove, Portslade, Shoreham, Littlehampton, Burgess Hill, Gatwick and Crawley in Sussex, this year there will be collections at large Tesco supermarkets in Haslemere and Guildford in Surrey too, making this year’s annual campaign the charity’s biggest yet.

Last year, 89 volunteers provided support across seven stores, collecting more than 16.5 tonnes of food over a three-day period. 

All donations collected during the Tesco Food Collection will top up the charity’s existing supplies to help feed those in deprived communities across Sussex and Surrey this winter, including over the Christmas period. 

FareShare Sussex & Surrey works with a variety of community groups and charities, including organisations which provide communal meals for those who would otherwise be alone at Christmas.

Dan Slatter, CEO of FareShare Sussex & Surrey, said:

“We couldn’t do the important work we do without our brilliant volunteers. 

“This year, as we expand the Tesco Food Collection to ten stores, we’re looking for more generous supporters across Sussex and Surrey to help us gather donations, which will help ensure we can meet demand this winter. 

“Giving just a few hours of your time will make a big difference to us and to the communities we support.” 

Volunteers can choose between four different three-hour shifts between 9am and 9pm over the three-day period from Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 November.

Emma Selby, volunteer manager at FareShare Sussex & Surrey, said:

“Volunteering for the Tesco Christmas Food Collection is so important.

“Having volunteers there increases the donations we receive, which is why I love going along. The generosity of people is truly astounding and it’s a great way of getting into the Christmas spirit.”

Louise Taylor, who volunteers for FareShare Sussex & Surrey, said:

“I love doing the Tesco Food Collection each year.

“I know Christmas can be a really hard time for people, but the donations can make a real tangible difference.

“I am always moved by the generosity of the public and really enjoy chatting to people about my involvement with FareShare Sussex and Surrey.”

FareShare Sussex & Surrey rescues and redistributes surplus food to more than 150 local organisations across the counties, helping to combat hunger, prevent waste and reduce carbon emissions at the same time.

The charity helps those who live in areas with the highest levels of deprivation, working with groups that provide healthy meals as well as groups offering advice, guidance, health support, counselling and befriending, to help break the cycle of poverty.

Anyone interested in volunteering at one of the participating stores in Sussex or Surrey for the Tesco Food Collection this November can sign up at: www.fareshare.org.uk/foodcollection.

For more information, please visit: www.faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk.