M&S Sears Solihull has donated more than 20,000 meals to those in need through its food redistribution programme, with more than 17,000 of these coming in the last year alone.
Charities such as Betel Birmingham and Essentials Delivery, based in Solihull, which provides free food parcels and cost-priced non-food essentials have partnered with M&S Sears Solihull to help provide free food to those in need.
Naomi Hartley, store manager at M&S Sears Solihull said: “We’re proud of the role we play in our community and we’re continuing to contribute where we can.
“We’re thrilled that our food redistribution programme with Neighbourly has already helped to make such a difference to charities like Betel Birmingham and Essentials Delivery, who do such an incredible job in our local communities.”
Whilst the food redistribution programme has been going since 2015, the 2020 rollout of an innovative colleague app which makes it easier for store teams to donate surplus food to charities, has allowed M&S to respond to the increased demand for donations from groups who are helping vulnerable people through difficult times during the pandemic.
The app is in all 585 M&S stores, enabling many of them to more than double their food redistribution rates. Across the UK, donations since March 2020 have now surpassed the 16 million mark, with 28 million meals donated since the start of the scheme.
M&S is always looking for new partners to work with. Local charity and community groups who would like to get involved in the food surplus programme or other charity initiatives are encouraged to email [email protected] to find out more.
