Mike Penning backs Sainsbury's 'Million Meal Appeal'

Local MP, Mike Penning, gave his support to the Million Meal Appeal at Sainsbury’s in Apsley Mills on Saturday 6th October. The Million Meal Appeal is run with Sainsbury’s charity partner FareShare, a national charity dedicated to tackling hunger and food waste.

The first Million Meal Appeal was held in 2011 with 600 stores participating. Thanks to customers' generosity and Sainsbury's pledge to match meals, 1.2 million meals were donated to FareShare. Due to its success, this year's appeal was run in over 900 stores and a massive two million meals have been donated in total this year, which includes matching from Sainsbury's - that's double the original target of 1 million meals.

Mike said:
“It was great to see the generosity of customers who made a donation to this fantastic initiative. Food poverty is still a major issue in this country and the ‘Million Meal Appeal’ helps to tackle the situation. Every donation is going to support charities and projects that need our help”.

Items collected, including tins, dried pasta, pasta sauce, rice, tea and instant coffee, are destined for the 720 charities and projects in the UK that FareShare support. Sainsbury’s Head of Community Affairs, Andy White said:
“Our customers have been telling us that they like giving in this way and it's really apparent by their generosity despite difficult times. We’re delighted to match all the meals donated by our customers and it means that together we’re helping to provide two million meals to vulnerable members of our communities that need it the most.”

FareShare CEO Lindsay Boswell added:
“The response to the Million Meal Appeal has been incredible. We’ll be able to combine the donated pasta, rice and tinned food with the short life surplus meat, fruit and vegetables that we receive daily from the food industry. It will make these surpluses go even further in a time of real need.”