SOUTHAMPTON shoppers have been praised after donating nearly 4,000 meals to those in need this Christmas.

During the twice-yearly Tesco Food Collection, which ran in Tesco stores from November 18 to 20, customers were asked to donate long-life food to support FareShare and the Trussell Trust.

Stores reported that customers had given the highest volume of food donations to support local charities since the start of the pandemic, providing 1.57 million meals during the campaign, with shoppers in Southampton donating an estimated 3,910 meals.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said the donations would help provide food to people facing impossible decisions this Christmas.

She said: "It’s not right that any of us are forced to a charity for the essentials, but we continue to be truly humbled by how much people are willing to give.

"We thank you for your continued support while we work in the long term to build a future without the need for food banks.”

The donations will help foodbanks in the Trussell Trust’s network provide emergency parcels, as well as help FareShare supply thousands of frontline charities. 

Tesco also topped up all customer donations with a 20 per cent cash donation to the charities to support them in their work. 

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive at FareShare, said: “Thank you to every single Tesco customer who donated to the food collection this year.

"Your generous donations will help us to continue supporting local charities and community groups that are helping to feed people in need this winter.”