FOOD weighing as much as two adult Great White Sharks has been collected by a Malvern supermarket to aid one of the town’s most ‘valuable’ services.
Waitrose in Great Malvern installed a permanent collection point in the store six months ago to attract donations for the Malvern Hills Foodbank and since the scheme started more than 2,000kg of food has been given.
Customers have helped more than 200 local people ‘in crisis’ thanks to the donations at the Edith Walk store, which include tinned meat, fish, soup, pasta, biscuits, chocolate and toilet rolls.
Chris Bray, chair of Malvern Hills Foodbank, said: “We are delighted with this initiative from Waitrose and with the response from Waitrose customers.
“In the six months since the box was installed, these generous people have helped over 200 local people who were in crisis which is a wonderful response to the needs of our community.”
A large basket has been placed close to the till exits with a display which invites shoppers to leave items for users of the service.
Customers are invited to add an extra item to their list which they can then put in the basket before they leave the store.
Deb Crump, Waitrose community matters branch champion, added: “We have established an excellent relationship with Malvern Hills Foodbank to support the valuable work they do in ensuring the generous donations of our shoppers go to those who need it most.
“It is incredibly heartening, but not surprising, that Great Malvern residents have responded in such a positive way to support their local community.
“Since its introduction six months ago, our customers have needed little encouragement to place items in the foodbank and for that we are incredibly grateful.”
