Asda reinstates food donation points
Melanie May | 1 March 2016 | News
Asda is reinstating its in-store food donation points after making the press last month when charities, food banks and customers objected to their removal.
According to the supermarket chain, the food donation points were removed after a review indicated that having volunteers on hand to talk to customers would increase the amount of donations received and help charities to reach out to customers. The resulting change in policy meant food collections would only continue when accompanied by volunteers.
However, charities and customers reported that they had not been informed of the changes and did not welcome them. Late last month, it was announced that Asda is now reinstating unmanned collection points in stores but will also offer the option of having volunteers come into stores to talk to customers.
An Asda spokesperson said:
“As a retailer who is committed to supporting our local communities we never intended to stop food banks or similar local charities collecting in our stores.
“We made some changes to our community programme around unmanned collections in the belief that this would benefit the many local good causes who collect in our stores.
“On this occasion our customers and colleagues have told us they understand our intentions, but prefer us to continue to give charities more options to maximise donations. We are therefore reinstating unmanned collection points.
“Asda plays an important role in the communities we serve and we look forward to continuing to support many more local charities and good causes.”
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About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.