FareShare London is bidding to receive a share from the Tesco Bags of Help Centenary Grant initiative.
To celebrate 100 years of Tesco, the supermarket is holding a special voting round of its community funding scheme which will see grants of £25,000, £15,000 and £10,000 awarded to community projects.
Three groups in each Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.
FareShare London redistributes surplus food to more than 200 charities and community groups across London who turn it into meals, serving more than 21,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged people every week. Customers can vote for FareShare across all London stores.
Emma Faulkner, Trust and Grants Manager at FareShare, said: “We’ve been working closely with Tesco for years to reduce food waste and fight hunger so we’re really excited to be shortlisted for the Tesco Bags of Help Centenary Grant.
“The funding will go towards purchasing a new refrigerated delivery van, which will help FareShare London to deliver more food to breakfast clubs, homelessness shelters, community cafes and projects supporting those struggling with physical or mental health difficulties across the capital.”
Rachel Ledwith, Development Manager at FareShare London, added: “Food poverty can happen to anyone, and it can happen quickly. The charities we provide food to support those who have lost their homes, left the Armed Forces and struggled to adjust, escaped violent relationships, fallen into drug or alcohol misuse or simply can no longer cook for themselves.
“Food is the connector – when it’s joined with the life changing support services provided by our frontline charity members, we know it’s the enabler to help get people back on their feet.”
Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout London in October, November and December and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.
Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already provided over £75 million to more than 25,000 projects across Britain.
Alec Brown, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Bags of Help contributes funds to community projects up and down the country and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from customers voting in their local stores. We’re looking forward to seeing more projects brought to life.”
Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.
