Lincolnshire Co-op campaign donates thousands to tackling hunger

Lincolnshire Co-op’s new Tackling Hunger campaign will see thousands of pounds worth of money and resources donated to a range of good causes geared to reducing food insecurity.

The scheme raises money for different groups every six months, and over 200 local breakfast clubs have been selected as the current Community Champions. It will support local breakfast clubs, food banks and Holidays Activities and Food (HAF) projects, as well as giving out free fruit in stores to children under 13. It will also work in tandem with the Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership to back services like community groceries or growing projects.

HAF projects are free holiday clubs for children who receive free school meals. Over 130 of these will share £12,000 worth of vouchers from Lincolnshire Co-op this summer, enabling them to provide healthy snacks, teach kids about nutrition and offer all who attend a healthy breakfast. With a month of fundraising still to go, the running total is already at around £207,000 and is projected to support the clubs for three years.

On top of this, 45 food banks will receive supplies from the donation points found in every Lincolnshire Co-op food store. Details of the area’s local food bank and their most wanted items are also displayed alongside collection bins to maximise impact.

Sam Turner, community manager at Lincolnshire Co-op, said: “It’s inspiring to work alongside so many great causes and groups, all with the collective goal of ensuring that no one in our communities goes hungry. We’re so grateful to our amazing members, colleagues and customers who enable us to provide such high levels of support.”