Northumberland charity teams up with M&S to get surplus food to those in need

An Alnwick charity has ramped up the number of meals it’s providing to those in need thanks to M&S’s food redistribution programme.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

An app, launched at the start of the Covid pandemic, is now used to notify charities when surplus food is available, helping to increase donations and stop food going to waste.

More than 9,000 meals have been provided to charity groups in Alnwick using surplus food donated by M&S, which opened its store on the Willowburn Retail Park in January.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Community @NE66 Charitable Trust, which works to empower and support individuals who are considered vulnerable and disadvantaged in Northumberland, opened a new Youth Café in November.

The Alnwick charity has ramped up the number of meals it’s providing to those in need thanks to M&S’s food redistribution programme.The Alnwick charity has ramped up the number of meals it’s providing to those in need thanks to M&S’s food redistribution programme.
The Alnwick charity has ramped up the number of meals it’s providing to those in need thanks to M&S’s food redistribution programme.

Its aim is to develop the aspirations, confidence and employability of young people residing in areas of deprivation and poverty, as well as to provide a safe space for children to access its services at a time when most community safeguarding provision is closed.

Jacqueline Brewster, project development worker at Community @NE66 Charitable Trust, said: “M&S food donations have without doubt contributed significantly, week in week out, to the alleviation of food poverty within our immediate community.

"It is heart-warming to see our local store give so generously and help put a smile on the faces of people who are most in need.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Andrew Crooks, head of region for M&S North East, said: “It’s going to be a Christmas like no other this year and we’re doing everything we can to ensure it’s as easy as possible for local charities and causes to collect meals to feed the people who need it most, particularly as we enter the festive season when money can be a concern for many.

Community @NE66 Charitable Trust is providing more meals to those in need thanks to M&S’s food redistribution programme.Community @NE66 Charitable Trust is providing more meals to those in need thanks to M&S’s food redistribution programme.
Community @NE66 Charitable Trust is providing more meals to those in need thanks to M&S’s food redistribution programme.

"When we have surplus food, our absolute priority is for it to end up on someone’s plate, through our charity redistribution programme with Neighbourly.

"We’re thrilled that the app has already helped to make such a difference to charities like Community @NE66 Charitable Trust, and hope to continue to help charities in and around the North East this season to support our local communities and help prevent food going to waste.”

Local charity and community groups who would like to get involved in the food surplus programme or other charity initiatives are encouraged to email [email protected] to find out more.

Read More
Alnwick District Food Bank reveals four-fold increase in demand with over 2,000 ...
An app, launched at the start of the Covid pandemic, is now used to notify charities when surplus food is available.An app, launched at the start of the Covid pandemic, is now used to notify charities when surplus food is available.
An app, launched at the start of the Covid pandemic, is now used to notify charities when surplus food is available.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper. If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops. Thank you for your support.

Related topics: