TESCO shoppers were invited to put a little something extra in their basket to help people who find themselves in need this Christmas.

They were asked to support the annual Tesco Food Collection, which encourages shoppers to donate long-life foods to help charities FareShare and The Trussell Trust’s food bank network give food and support to people who might otherwise go hungry this Christmas.

The food donated to food banks in The Trussell Trust’s network is given in emergency food parcels to people referred because they cannot afford to feed themselves and their families.

Food donated to FareShare is distributed to charities and community groups who use it to provide meals for vulnerable groups such as isolated older people and those in homeless shelters.

It is the 11th collection to have taken place, and Tesco is topping up the value of the food donated by the public by 20 per cent, providing additional funds to support the charities in their work this Christmas.

Volunteers have been in the store to greet customers with a list of items most needed by the charities, with shoppers encouraged to pick up items to donate at the end of their shop.

More than 3.34million meals were donated to the food charities by generous Tesco customers last year, and the supermarket has thanked all the customers who donated this year too.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “The Tesco Food Collection scheme is the UK’s biggest Christmas food collection, and at Tesco we are glad to be playing our part in helping people in need this Christmas.” 

Emma Revie, chief executive at The Trussell Trust said: “Foodbanks across the country will be doing all they can to provide the best possible emergency support so people don’t go hungry.

“But to make sure we’re prepared for what could be our busiest December yet, our network needs your support.”