RESIDENTS in Reading have donated more than 16,5000 meals to Trussell Trust food banks, new figures show.
Following a new partnership with Deliveroo, food poverty charity and NGO The Trussell Trust has released new data about donations made to food banks in the last six months.
Since the partnership launched, 6,000 Reading Residents have donated meals directly and through monetary contributions made through the Deliveroo app.
Customers have the option to round-up the cost of their deliveries or to make a donation at checkout, with proceeds going towards food banks.
The trust says that its food parcels given out have risen by 46% during August-September 2022 compared to the same period last year.
The partnership aims to provide two millions meals and vital support for people facing hunger across the country, as part of Deliveroo’s Full life campaign.
More than half of its target has already been distributed, with parcels containing at least three days’ worth of nutritionally-balanced meals and practical support materials and advice.
Carlo Mocci, chief business officer for the UK and Ireland at Deliveroo, said: “Our partnership with the Trussell Trust continues to provide vital support to those people in the UK facing hardship as cost of living pressures increase.
“I want to thank all of our generous Deliveroo customers in Reading who have contributed more than 16,000 meals to food banks, through their donations on the Deliveroo app.
“As we approach winter, we are committed to helping tackle hunger in Reading and across the UK.”
Danni Malone, director of network programmes and innovation at the Trussell Trust, said: “As the nation faces soaring living costs, people on the very lowest incomes are facing the toughest challenges.
“Food banks are telling us that families across the country are having to make impossible decisions between putting food on the table or switching on the lights– and too many people are being left with no option but to use a food bank because their money simply won’t stretch.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has generously donated to the Trussell Trust through Deliveroo’s in-app round-up function.”
She continued: “These donations are helping us support our network as they provide emergency food and in-food bank support to thousands of people facing immediate hardship during this challenging period, while we work together in the long term to build a future without the need for food banks.”
The Trussell Trust supports more than 1,200 food bank centres and campaigns to end the need for food banks.
