intu MK launches Festive Food Drop campaign for MK Food Bank - Destination Milton Keynes
intu MK launches Festive Food Drop campaign for MK Food Bank

intu MK launches Festive Food Drop campaign for MK Food Bank

intu Milton keynes foodbankintu Milton Keynes has launched a Christmas campaign to raise funds and food donations for Milton Keynes Food Bank.

The intu Milton Keynes Festive Food Drop is a pledge to match all food and cash donations made between Monday 4 November and Tuesday 24 December – doubling the amount raised for the MK Food Bank during the Christmas season.

For people living on the edge of poverty in Milton Keynes, the cold festive period can leave them increasingly unable to cover living costs such as heating, food and other essentials, putting the Food Bank under increasing pressure.

The ongoing partnership between intu Milton Keynes and MK Food Bank, which initially launched in March this year, has already raised over £2,500 through engaging initiatives, and the spinning coin machine next to the Frog Clock. Now, at arguably the most important time of the year, the Festive Food Drop aims to raise up to £10,000 worth of food and cash.

Shelley Peppard, general manager of intu Milton Keynes, said: "We are committed to helping deliver change and positive impact through our strong relationships with partners such as the MK Food Bank. This is a truly excellent Christmas cause. Hunger is no longer just a third world issue. Even in Milton Keynes we have so many families living on the edge of poverty. Let's pull together and make a huge difference to people in need locally this Christmas. It's a real feel-good project and we are delighted that we can help."

Each week, all donated food is collected by volunteers from the Food Bank ready to be distributed to local people living on the edge of poverty. Families and individuals in need are identified by referral agencies and given vouchers entitling them to food parcels.

The Food Bank relies entirely on donations of food and money from the community, as well as the support of its local volunteers. It is currently low on tinned items such as vegetables, meat, tomatoes, rice pudding and custard, as well as long life juice and milk, and pasta sauce.

Caitlin Hands, Partnerships Manager from the Milton Keynes Food Bank, added: "We are delighted to be working with intu Milton Keynes for our Festive Food Drop this year between Monday 4 November and Tuesday 24 December encouraging the local community to support the Food Bank this Christmas. As the vortex has been so popular, we believe that we will be able to reach the target intu Milton Keynes has set with help from the community.

"Our aim here at the Food Bank is to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry and with the help of food and money donations this will be possible. We look forward to carrying on our partnership with intu Milton Keynes working together to help those in need into the New Year."

Find out more about the MK Food Bank at www.mkfoodbank.org.uk or discover more about intu Milton Keynes at www.intu.co.uk/miltonkeynes