THE latest community news from Porthmadog

Christmas volunteers

TWO charities are calling for volunteers to come forward to help collect food for Christmas.

The Trussle Trust & Fair Share has maintained a long-running partnership which supports food collection for people in need, and Tesco in Porthmadog is among a number of stores helping the charities with their project.

This year, the partnership is calling on volunteers to hand out shopping lists to customers so they can see the food items most needed by food banks and community groups in the area, and to encourage people to donate.

The volunteers are needed between Thursday, 21 November and Saturday, 23 November.

Last year, 3.5 million meals were collected as part of the Tesco Food Collection, and since its launch in 2012, more than 50 million meals have been donated to the two charities.

Emma Revie, chief executive at The Trussell Trust, said: “Food banks will be doing all they can to provide vital emergency support so people don’t face hunger this Christmas. But to make sure there are enough donations, we need your support.

“Having your support in this year’s Tesco Food Collection will make a real difference – the more people who volunteer, the more food will be collected from generous shoppers, and the better prepared food banks will be to help local people.”

ImaanRizwan-Alvi, community co-ordinator at FareShare, said: “I work with charities and community groups across North Wales on a daily basis and it is brilliant to see the impact these organisations have on their local communities.

“Campaigns like the Tesco Food Collection make a real difference by providing long-life food - I often hear stories of people trying food they’ve never had before or enjoying a warming winter stew made with the food donations they receive.”

To volunteer, visit fareshare.org.uk/tescofood collection/

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