Portsmouth food banks to receive gift cards to redistribute to struggling families this Christmas

Through the company’s stores and funeral branches, £40,000 worth of gift cards will be dished out to food banks across the Solent region. Southern Co-op, which supports more than 70 food banks with collection points, will be sending out 4,000 community gift cards worth £10 each to help families and individuals affected by the cost of living increases.

SEE ALSO: SAS star Ant Middleton explains why he's saving a Portsmouth butcher shop facing closure due to huge energy bill hikes

A further £25,000 is being donated to Neighbourly’s warm communities fund – set up to provide ‘needs-led’ micro-grants to charities and community groups providing ‘warm banks’, food donations and low-cost-to-prepare food items.

Gemma Lacey, Southern Co-op’s director of sustainability and communications, said: ‘This winter will be especially hard for so many people in our local communities. On top of that, the local causes that people rely on for help, are also facing serious difficulties. We hope this targeted support will help make a difference alongside our in store food banks which provide the opportunity for those who are able, to donate products to support their local community.

‘It is times like these when the community co-operative spirit is essential as we all come together to do what we can.’

Among the supported groups are the Trussell Trust’s Portsmouth food banks at the Lifehouse, Kings Church and North End Pantry. Organisations in Gosport, Fareham and Havant will also benefit.

Holly Bramble, Southern Co-Op’s community lead, added: ‘We all need to look beyond Christmas and focus on continued support throughout the whole of the winter and beyond.’