Keighley Sainsbury's in food for the needy appeal to shoppers (From Keighley News)

Keighley Sainsbury's in food for the needy appeal to shoppers

11:00am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By David Knights

A Keighley supermarket is urging customers to donate food for needy people while they do their shopping.

Sainsbury's wants them to drop tins and packets into a collection box as part of the annual Million Meal Appeal.

Each item of food donated this Saturday and Sunday across the UK will be matched by Sainsbury's.

The food will then be distributed among 720 charities and community projects.

The food drive is run in conjunction with FareShare, a charity that tackles hunger across the country.

Last year's Million Meals Appeal enabled FareShare to deliver food for more than 1.2 million meals.

Sainsbury's said the contribution from Keighley residents last year was significant.

This weekend customers can choose an item from the Million Meals Appeal shopping list, pay for it as normal, then put it in a collecting box. The list includes long-life products such as tinned goods, dried pasta, pasta sauce, rice, tea and instant coffee.

Customers shopping at Sainsbury's Online can choose to make a £1 donation until next Tuesday.

Sainsbury’s community affairs manager Andy White said there was an overwhelming response from customers last year.

He said: “The total of 1.2 million meals donated in 2011 would be enough to feed a sold-out London Olympic Stadium 15 times.

“We hope from this year’s campaign that we can further raise the awareness of food poverty in the UK and support those charities and projects that need our help.”

FareShare spokesman Lindsay Boswell said: “Around 5.8 million people live in deep poverty in the UK, meaning they struggle to afford everyday essentials like food. I hope many Sainsbury’s Keighley customers can support the appeal and help us to provide even more food.”