Here's how Wakefield can donate to those in need safely and with ease Jack’s supermarket

Jacks supermarket will now feature a collection point at the front of the store for customers to donate items which will directly help those in need in the local community.

Shoppers at the store on Ings Road will have the opportunity to support their local food bank by leaving supplies at the new in- store collection point, which will be donated to Trussell Trust at the end of each month.

To avoid unnecessary waste, any donations made must be non-perishable or long-life goods, such as UHT milk, tinned goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, rice, biscuits, jams, and tea and coffee, as well as toiletries and hygiene products.

Normanton Foodbank on Castleford Road is part of the Trussell Trust food bank network, founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in the local area.

The Trussell Trust supports around two thirds of the nation’s food banks by providing emergency, nutritionally balanced food directly to individuals. Staff work with frontline professionals who identify people in need and issue them with a voucher entitling them to support.

To find your nearest food bank and apply for a voucher click hereSamantha Stapley, Chief Operating Officer at the Trussell Trust, said: “As the coronavirus outbreak develops, more people are likely to need a food bank’s help. Our teams are working tirelessly to ensure that food banks are able to remain open and have the necessary stocks to respond to this crisis.

“The support of Jack’s supermarket means we can remain agile to respond to the fast-changing situation and ensure food banks continue to provide the lifeline of emergency food and additional support for people in crisis.”

Ahmed Vachhiyat, Store Manager at Jack’s Wakefield, said: “At Jack’s we’re passionate about helping people in our local community in any way we can. We regularly make food and product donations to some very worthy causes, but now customers can help too and it’s really simple to do.

"I’m proud of Jack’s and all of our colleagues for their efforts, especially over the last few weeks; it’s been challenging but really rewarding to know you’re making a difference.”

Jack’s also has a Community Food Connections service which alerts local food banks in the area when a store has surplus food that would otherwise go to waste which is collected several times a week.