// Tesco launches £30m coronavirus community support package for the next 3 months

// Includes £15m worth of food donations to be made to FareShare and the Trussell Trust

// Tesco is also donating £1m to assist charities’ operations, plus £2m to the British Red Cross

Tesco is the latest retailer to step up its support for vulnerable communities during the coronavirus crisis with multi-million pound pledge for charities on the frontline.

The Big 4 giant unveiled a £30 million support package, of which £15 million worth of food donations would be made to FareShare and the Trussell Trust over the next three months.

The charities will then distribute the ambient and fresh grocery donations to local community groups and food banks.

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Tesco’s package also includes a £1 million cash donation to each of the charities, £2 million to the British Red Cross, plus £2 million from its Bags of Help community donation scheme for charities assisting “the most vulnerable” community members during the pandemic.

The donations are in addition to Tesco’s existing donations of £3 million of food per month through its Community Food Connection scheme.

“Our stores are at the heart of the communities we serve and as well as supporting our customers and colleagues, we want to help those who need it most, locally,” Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis said.

“We will significantly boost our food donations programme working with FareShare and Trussell Trust, continue our support for the incredible work of the British Red Cross and also refocus our Bags of Help scheme to support grassroots community groups helping vulnerable people at this difficult time.”

Other grocers which have stepped up support for charities, especially those specialising in food banks, include Morrisons, Asda, the Co-op and Waitrose.

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