VULNERABLE people in Warwickshire are receiving free nutritious food from local Tesco stores thanks to the selfless work of a local charity.
The Vulnerable Assistance Network provides surplus food from the supermarket to people in communities throughout the county.
Volunteers at the charity receive in-date food from Tesco, then make it available to families free of charge.
The Warwickshire charity receives most of its food in donations from the supermarket as part of the Community Food Connection surplus food scheme, which involves local Tesco stores and food surplus redistribution charity FareShare.
Vulnerable Assistance Network began life as the brainchild of kind-hearted sisters Debbie Deacon and Nicki Pearce, who were inspired to start the charity after seeing many people’s livelihood affected by the pandemic.
They have since set up a network of collectors, who pick up surplus food and distribute it among the communities they live in, especially reaching people who cannot get to a food bank.
The charity also supports nurseries to assist with food for breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and a pantry to provide food for parents.
Debbie said: “We are very grateful to Tesco for this food. It helps us distribute to as many people as we possibly can. Our volunteers work really hard.
“During the pandemic, so many people were affected, regardless of how well off they were. We don’t discriminate. If people need food, we will provide it for them.”
In addition to the team of volunteers, Debbie and Nicki are helping young people earn their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Silver Scheme by encouraging them to give a hand at the charity.
Nicki added: “Young people are the future of charitable organisations, and without charities the country would come to a stop, so we’re glad to be able to show young people the benefits of volunteering for good causes for themselves and for their communities.
“We’re also embracing modern technology to reach people in their communities. We have set up many WhatsApp groups, with one having 400 people in it, so that no-one needs to miss out.”
The Community Food Connection scheme ensures that surplus food from Tesco is given to charities and community groups, whose volunteer members then distribute it to the public. Across the UK it redistributes two million meals each month.
