A SUPERMARKET chain with branches in Earley and Wokingham is looking for community groups to come forward so it can spread some Christmas cheer.
Aldi is seeking charities that can use its festive surplus to come forward by Monday.
As part of the Christmas initiative, charities and community groups will be paired with local Aldi stores and can collect fresh food products that are near the end of their shelf life such as fruit, vegetables, fresh meat, fish and bread after the store closes at 6pm on Christmas Eve.
Last Christmas, Aldi donated just under half a million meals to charities across the UK, and is hoping to increase this for Christmas 2019, spreading Christmas cheer to even more families.
Fritz Walleczek, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK, said: “Our Christmas food donation scheme is something we’re really passionate about, and we’re working with Neighbourly this year to pair as many stores up as possible.
“Last year we were able to reach thousands of people across the UK, and some charities were even able to prepare fresh meals that fed families well into the New Year. This is our third year of Christmas food donations and we’re hoping this year will be just as successful, and we look forward to working with local charities and food banks from Wokingham in the future.”
All groups that apply must:
- Have a level 2 hygiene certificate gained in the last two years
- Be a registered charity, CIC or community group
- Be able to collect, transport and store chilled food products.
The scheme follows a partnership with Neighbourly, a community engagement platform that links businesses to key charitable organisations, 95% of Aldi stores are now donating surplus food up to five days a week, all year round.
Charitable groups interested in working with Aldi this Christmas should contact Neighbourly at [email protected] before Monday, November 11.
