Waitrose Customers Rally to Support Bromley Foodbank with £2,000 Donation
Bromley Borough Foodbank has been awarded £2,000 in vital funding through the Waitrose and Partners Community Matters green token scheme, thanks to the generous support of customers at two local supermarkets. This financial boost comes at a crucial moment for the foodbank, which is experiencing unprecedented demand while facing increasingly uncertain charitable contributions.
Customer Voting Drives Significant Financial Support
Shoppers at Waitrose Bromley and Waitrose Green Street Green selected Bromley Borough Foodbank as a beneficiary of the Community Matters initiative, enabling the charity to secure £1,500 from Waitrose Bromley and an additional £500 from Waitrose Green Street Green. The Community Matters program operates through a customer voting system in stores, where shoppers receive a token at checkout and choose which of three local causes to support.
Every quarter, the project with the most votes in each store receives £1,500, while second and third place projects receive £1,000 and £500 respectively. The scheme donates approximately £4 million annually to charities across the United Kingdom. Following a recent refresh, Community Matters has placed greater emphasis on food-related causes, ensuring at least one nominated charity in every store supports efforts to combat hunger, promote healthy lifestyles, strengthen community connections, or improve sustainable food systems.
Foodbank Manager Expresses Gratitude for Community Support
Kate Sing'ombe, Manager of Bromley Borough Foodbank, stated: "We are thrilled to receive £2,000 through Waitrose's Community Matters scheme, a donation made possible by the generosity of local customers. This funding comes at a crucial time, helping us support record numbers of people in need. Both Waitrose Bromley and Waitrose Green Street Green go beyond one-off donations, with ongoing support such as permanent collection bins and regular food drives, making a real difference to our work and the wider community."
"We are deeply grateful to have stores so committed to their local community and to the people we help every day," Sing'ombe added.
Waitrose Managers Highlight Community Commitment
Shaun Griffin, Branch Manager at Waitrose Green Street Green, commented: "Our Community Matters scheme helps us give back in meaningful ways, and we're proud to contribute to the vital work of the Bromley Borough Foodbank."
Chris Brown, Team Manager at Waitrose Bromley South, emphasized: "Our customers care deeply about supporting their community, and it's fantastic to see them choosing to champion a cause that makes a real difference to people in our local area."
The £2,000 raised through the Community Matters scheme will enable Bromley Borough Foodbank to continue providing essential food and advice services to individuals and families across the borough. This support is particularly significant as the organization navigates challenging times with rising demand and fluctuating donation patterns.
