Record-breaking food collection

Amanda Hardy, from Tesco with the display for Rochdale Foodbank

Over £3,500 worth of food, enough to feed 200 families, was donated last weekend as Rochdale Foodbank volunteers joined staff from Tesco - 50% higher than any previous weekend collection.

As part of a national campaign, in partnership with Trussell Trust foodbanks, Tesco opened its doors to Rochdale Foodbank to collect food from Tesco customers and the Tesco team, led by Amanda, Angie and Becky, put on a superb display of essential foods in the entrance area, which became a beacon for generous-minded shoppers.

Iain Wight, Foodbank leader, commented: “We have seen food and money donations falling slowly this year, and wondered if we could continue to meet the demand from our Rochdale clients. But we should not have worried, the public were fantastic in their cheerful generosity, and we cannot thank them all enough.

"We get 30% extra from Tesco for all we collect, which will help later in the year to buy food shortages. This is part of the national deal, but our friends in the Rochdale branch are really passionate supporters of the Foodbank and go out of their way to do a little bit more to promote our cause.

"They are a key part of our community effort to make sure no one goes hungry in Rochdale."