‘PEOPLE power’ has seen Asda reverse a decision to stop operating in-store food collection points – a move which would have deprived Rugby’s needy of over five tons of food a year.
Asda caused alarm among charities and customers when it removed permanent unmanned collection points for foodbanks from UK stores two weeks ago – without any advance warning.
The move would have seen Rugby Foodbank’s donations drop by around 12.5 per cent – at a time of year when demand is already outstripping supplies.
But complaints from customers, concern from MPs and a petition signed by 88,000 people persuaded the supermarket giant to make a u-turn.
Diana Mansell, manager of Rugby Foodbank, said Asda had underestimated public support for foodbanks.
She said: “I think people power has persuaded them that many organisations were going to be really hampered.
“I think they underestimated the fact that people really want to be able to support local charities, and enjoy the fact they can do that in the same store.”
She said she was shocked when she heard of the plan to remove collection points.
“It would have been a huge thing to lose for us, because we can’t guarantee people would donate in other places,” she said.
“Collection points help to ensure that foodbanks have a consistent supply to give to people facing hunger.
“Many of our customers got in touch, horrified that they would not able to donate in Asda.
“It’s great that it’s been reversed. I was absolutely delighted, and glad that it happened so quickly, because we were wondering how it was going to affect us.”
Diana thanked everyone who has supported the Foodbank, particularly those who signed petitions and complained to Asda.
A briefing released to Asda staff said: “We are reinstating all previously existing unmanned collections in store. This is about reinviting existing charity partners back into store, not about actively going out and recruiting any new unmanned collections at this stage.”
Its initial statements about the policy change said the chain was as open as ever to charitable collections, but wanted to ensure “volunteers are on hand to talk to customers and explain where their donations are going”.
Asda, which recently announced its worst quarterly sales figures to date, denied that the plan had anything to do with an ongoing programme of cost-cutting.
This month, Rugby Foodbank gave out 3.2 tons of food, but only received 1.9 tons. The Foodbank is also appealing to local businesses and supermarkets to install collection points.
Visit www.facebook.com/rugbyfoodbank for information on urgently needed items.
