M&S stores across Cardiff have donated more than 11,000 meals through local charity partnerships since the 1st March, helping to support vulnerable people in the local area during the Covid-19 outbreak.
- Since 2015, M&S’s food redistribution programme has been connecting M&S stores with local community groups that use surplus food to feed those in need
- M&S has accelerated the launch a new colleague app which has helped to increase donations in March and April
The retailer’s food redistribution programme has been going since 2015, but the recent rollout of a new app has allowed M&S to respond to the increased demand for donations from groups who are helping vulnerable people through the Covid-19 crisis. The app, which makes it easier for colleagues to donate surplus food to charities, is now in all 585 M&S stores, enabling many of them to more than double their food redistribution rates. Across the UK, donations since March 1st have now surpassed the million mark.
Surplus food from stores across Cardiff has been a lifeline for those reliant on local causes, including Caerau Development Trust, St Clements Court Garden and Social Group, Rainbow of Hope, Dyfrig House and Oakmeadow Court Garden and Social Group.
Rainbow of Hope is a Cardiff based charity reaching out to the homeless and disadvantaged people including asylum seekers and refugees.
Their mission is to relieve people suffering from poverty and distress, in particular, but not exclusively, homeless people by providing or assisting in the provision of food, shelter, clothing and grants of money and also by offering support and advice to such persons.
All the work of this charity is founded on prayer. In particular it was born out of a prayer session involving two readings:
Luke 9 – the feeding of the five thousand and John 21:15 – Jesus and Peter.
Elizabeth Perrett Atkins, Director and founder at Rainbow of Hope, told us…..
“M&S are integral to this work. Without their kind donations we would be unable to provide bread or cake products to our substantial food parcels. We are currently supplying up to 50 parcels a day from Monday to Saturday with new clients reaching out to us on a daily basis. If there are loaves left over, and because M&S gives so much to us there regularly are, we then pass them onto hostels where homeless folk have been temporarily housed due to the coronavirus. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank M&S for their continued support. God bless you all from all at Rainbow of Hope!”
To take a look at the kind of support they are providing, go here. RAINBOW
Neil Enoch is Store Manager at M&S Culverhouse Cross, he told us…..
“At M&S we’re proud of the role we play in our local community, and we’re doing our bit to support where we can during these unprecedented times. Our overarching goal is to halve our food waste by 2025, but when there is food surplus our priority is for it to end up on someone’s plate through our redistribution programme with Neighbourly. This has never been more important than in the last two months, so we’re delighted that the food is reaching those who need it through our brilliant charity partners.”
Neighbourly is an award-winning giving platform that helps businesses make a positive impact in their communities by donating volunteer time, money and surplus products, all in one place.
They ensure product surplus is put to good use in the community – whether it’s food and drink or toiletries, books and household goods. They work with a team of surplus redistribution experts, supported by a platform transacting thousands of donations every day.
The COO of Neighbourly, Zoe Colosimo, told us…..
“Local charities are coming under immense pressure and need support now more than ever during this crisis. Surplus food and donations have delivered essential help quickly to where it’s needed most – at the heart of our local neighbourhoods. It’s fantastic to see the phenomenal effort that has been put in by M&S store teams and good local causes, there’s a real sense of community building”.
To find out more about the work they do, go here. NEIGHBOURLY
And of course the work doesn’t stop there. M&S is always looking for new partners to work with. Local charity and community groups who would like to get involved in the food surplus programme or other charity initiatives are encouraged to email mands@neighbourly.com to find out more.