Angus charities urged to register for festive food donations

Groups will be paired with stores to distribute food in their communities.

Local charities, community groups and food banks are being urged to sign up to a scheme to help deliver food to families in need in Angus this Christmas.

Supermarket chain Aldi has pledged to donate surplus food over the festive season, with the aim of providing 10 million meals to families across the UK.

Christmas provides an opportunity for even more organisations to benefit from Aldi’s partnership with Neighbourly. The community engagement platform links businesses to food banks and charities, enabling all of the company's 98 Scottish stores to donate year-round.

With all stores set to close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, the retailer wants to ensure that products approaching the end of their shelf life reach families who might otherwise miss out this Christmas.

Aldi is encouraging more Angus organisations to take part in the scheme.

Mary Dunn, managing director of corporate responsibility, said: “Our food donations scheme operates year-round, but we know that Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for the families and communities we support. That’s why we are so committed to increasing the number of meals we donate and we look forward to working with local charities this Christmas to help us meet our 10 million meals target.”

Organisations need not be a registered charity but must have a level two hygiene certificate gained in the last two years and be able to transport and store chilled food products after collection on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at 5pm. Those interested should contact [email protected] before December 5.