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Waitrose Rohais customers have donated more than a ton of food in less than six months to a local food bank operated by the Guernsey Welfare Service.
The permanent food bank boxes that were installed in the Rohais branch last year are set up at the exit of the branch. They provide customers with the opportunity to donate to the independent charity which works with other local agencies to provide financial and practical support to islanders in need.
Donations collected from the boxes have ensured a steady supply of food to the service which typically gives out 20 food parcels to local families each week.
The food bank boxes have proved so popular that they have now been installed at the Waitrose Admiral Park branch.
The initiative follows the success of collections held in Waitrose stores nationally across the UK and Channel Islands which saw over 130 tonnes of food donated by customers in 2014 - enough to make over 260,000 meals.
John Copeland, director of the Guernsey Welfare Service, said: “The response from the people of Guernsey to the food bank has surpassed our expectations. We’ve had a steady stream of food coming in to the service from the Rohais store which when added to our other collection points has enabled us to help even more families who depend on these donations.
“The food we distribute is a lifeline for some islanders so it’s wonderful to see such strong support from the local community. We’re always happy to receive gifts of non-perishable food with a long use by date.”
Kelly Divall, community liaison officer at Waitrose Rohais, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the donations we’ve received from our customers. The donations help those in Guernsey who need it the most and the Guernsey Welfare Service is an organisation that we’re proud to be able to support.”
