CUSTOMERS at Tesco in Kingsteignton can help people facing hardship and hunger at Christmas by donating long-life items during the annual Winter Food Collection.

Last year, generous customers in Newton Abbot donated food to the collection, which went to Trussell and FareShare.

Both charities expect to see increased demand for their services this winter.

Tesco larger stores are making the pre-packed customer donation bags available so donating the most needed items is as easy as possible for customers.

The bags, which typically cost between £2 and £4, are pre-filled with healthy and nutritious long-life items and can be picked up in store and paid for at the checkout. Donated food is passed to FareShare and Trussell, whose volunteers will distribute it to charities and food banks to help families who need it most.

Tesco’s Winter Food Collection runs in the Kingsteignton Express store from 24 to 29 and in the Kingsteignton Superstore from November 27 to 29.

The most-needed items according to FareShare and Trussell are cereal, oats and instant porridge, tinned and dried soup, and tinned beans.

Ashwin Prasad, Tesco UK CEO, said: ‘With more families than ever expected to need help with essentials this winter, along with our partners, we are encouraging customers to donate whatever they can to our Winter Food Collection. If we all pull together, we can make a big difference to lives this winter.

‘It’s our 13th Winter Food Collection, and the generosity of Tesco customers and their commitment to helping their local community makes me and the entire Tesco team so proud.’

Matthew Van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive at Trussell, said: ‘We know times are tough, but a donation can really make a difference.

‘The Tesco Winter Collection is the perfect opportunity to help. The pre-packed donation bags make it easier than ever to support your local food bank and help someone facing hunger today.

‘We are so grateful to Tesco for its continued partnership and to you, our generous supporters, for making someone smile this winter.’

FareShare Chief Executive, Kris Gibbon-Walsh, said: ‘We are enormously grateful to all our colleagues at Tesco for their continued support, together we turn surplus and donated food into meals, strengthening communities and supporting those in need.

‘The Tesco Winter Food Collection enables us to collect long-life, staple ingredients that complement he fresh surplus food we redistribute. If shoppers can donate just one item at their local store, they’ll be helping to provide a meal for someone facing hardship this winter.’