Million Meal Food Drive

The Million Meal Appeal where shoppers can donate food to help local people in crisis is being organised by charity FareShare and Sainsbury's stores across the country, including the Worthington Way store at Goose Green. As part of the appeal over the weekend of Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October, I visited the store (Saturday) to support staff and encourage donations.

Donations will be collected as shoppers leave the store. FareShare will then deliver the donated food to over 700 charities and community projects across the UK to help families in need. Sainsbury’s will match the level of food donations collected over the weekend.

The Million Meal Appeal comes as the economic crisis deepens and the rising costs of living hits households in Wigan hard. Food prices rose by more than four per cent over the last year and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimate that around 5.8 million people in the UK struggle to afford everyday essentials like food.

The Million Meal Appeal will help local families struggling with rising living costs and cuts to tax credits. It is a sad fact that the number of food banks is rising despite the fact that we are the 7th richest country in the world. I am supporting the Million Meal Appeal and I hope that shoppers dig deep to help those families who are struggling at this time.

Last year the Million Meal Appeal collected food for 1.2 million meals for disadvantaged people with Sainsbury's customers buying an additional item of food for FareShare, which the charity then distributed to hostels, day centres, breakfast clubs and local projects.