Lidl shoppers donate vital food to community kitchen Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts

Generous shoppers in Edinburgh have donated vital food to community kitchen Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts through Lidl’s ‘Teaming up to Tackle Hunger’ initiative, in the five weeks leading up to Christmas.

The Slateford store and Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts is just one partnership in the Teaming up to Tackle Hunger scheme, with Lidl’s 105 Scottish stores partnering with 105 charities across the country.

By scanning a flyer at the till, local shoppers added funds to purchase one of five store cupboard essentials including packets of rice, tins of tuna and cereals, with each donation matched by Lidl.

Lidl’s Slateford store processed the donations which were collected by Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts staff to be put to good use at its community kitchen hub in Edinburgh.

The voluntary organisations delivers meals to over 1,400 people in need throughout the Capital and have, since the start of the pandemic, delivered more than 500,000 meals.

The Slateford store and Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts is just one partnership in the Teaming up to Tackle Hunger scheme, with Lidl’s 105 Scottish stores partnering with 105 charities across the country.

The initiative forms part of Lidl’s ongoing partnership with Neighbourly through their ‘Feed it Back’ scheme, with the retailer donating surplus food from stores to local charities daily.

Emma Poulton Parley, business and marketing director at Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts, said: “As the need for our service continues to grow, as does the need for more donations.

“We make over 4,500 meals a day for vulnerable people and families across Edinburgh and we rely on the generosity of local businesses and Edinburgh residents to help us do so.

“Thank you to Lidl and its generous shoppers for continuing to support us - your donations make a difference to people’s lives.”

Ross Millar, Lidl’s regional director for Scotland, said: “The success of the Teaming up to Tackle Hunger initiative is testament to our shoppers’ generosity and commitment to supporting their local community.

“This new format for donating in-store has made contributing to charity easier, we are amazed by the contribution and what we can achieve together with our customers.”

Customer donation boxes are also permanently available in store for customers who wish to continue to directly donate food and groceries to local causes.

To find out more or donate online visit www.lidl.co.uk/tacklehunger

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