There’s no doubt Christmas is set to be a little different this year.
The uncertainty around the nature of the festive season is playing on everyone’s mind due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the level of restrictions which may be put in place, and the economic fallout, but for the 1.9 million+ people who use foodbanks in our society, that isn’t the only thing they have to worry about.
Ensuring they have access to food and vital items at Christmas time is always a priority.
But it’s more important this year than ever before – with families and children expected to be hit hardest – and this is why charities and foodbank organisations are speaking out and urging the public to do their bit.
For shoppers, taking the time to donate even one item can have a huge impact on someone’s life this winter.
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“The effects of the pandemic are being felt far and wide,” says FareShare UK CEO Lindsay Boswell.
“More people than ever are turning to charities and community groups because they’re unable to feed themselves and their families.”
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She continued: “A single tin of tuna or vegetables may not seem like much to give, but if enough people make a small donation, together those donations can make a big difference to people who need our help this winter.”
The Trussell Trust
Earlier this month, a report by charity The Trussell Trust – which runs a network of 1,300 foodbank centres across the UK – confirmed a 47% increase in support needed during the pandemic, with a record 1.2 million emergency food parcels being handed out in the first six months of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
From April to September, more than 470,000 of the food parcels were delivered to children, which on average came to around 2,600 every day.
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Speaking on the importance of donations this year, Emma Revie – CEO of The Trussell Trust – said: “The pandemic has shown what can happen when we stand together in the face of adversity and how much people are willing to give to support their local community.”
The Trussell Trust is expecting its network of UK food banks to give out an emergency food parcel every nine seconds this winter.
FareShare is also set to supply food to 11,000 frontline charities.
If you’re looking for a way to make a worthy contribution ahead of the festive season, Tesco is among one of the leading UK supermarket retailers calling on shoppers to make a difference with a collection – which has been launched in Tesco Express, Tesco Metro and Tesco Extra stores nationwide – in partnership with FareShare UK and The Trussell Trust.
Customers are being asked to donate food up to 21st November.
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It’s as simple as buying the items with your usual shopping and dropping them in the dedicated Food Collection trolley at the exit, and the food needed includes longer-life items such as rice, tea and tinned goods, all of which can be made into nutritious meals.
You can help support people in crisis across the UK by donating long-life items like these in all Tesco stores from 19-21 Nov.
Claire De Silva – Head of Community at Tesco – said: “Every year customers are so generous, but this is not a normal year,”
“The two charities we work with need to provide more food than ever this Christmas.”
All the food that goes to FareShare is used to provide meals for vulnerable groups – such as isolated older people, and those in homeless shelters – and customers unable to contribute food in store can help by donating Tesco Clubcard points to the two organisations.
Tesco will top up the value of all donations with an additional 20% in cash.
If Tesco isn’t your local supermarket, donations of food and vital items can also be made at other supermarket retailers – including as Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and more – as well as other local independent foodbanks, and through a range of community-led initiatives.
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IKEA is hosting a massive pyjama day with free breakfasts and £15 discounts this weekend
Emily Sergeant
IKEA is hosting a massive pyjama day at stores across the UK this weekend, and it sounds like the perfect excuse for a lazy day.
Don’t you just wish it was socially acceptable to wear your pyjamas in public sometimes?
Well now you can actually get away with it for once, as Swedish furniture retailer IKEA is hosting one of the most unique shopping experiences there is this weekend, and is inviting customers to ditch their daywear and don their favourite PJs instead.
Promising to be “a fun day out for all the family”, IKEA’s Pyjama Day is the perfect opportunity to shop for all your home needs in the most comfortable attire imaginable.
IKEA is hosting a massive pyjama day this weekend / Credit: IKEA
In a move that’s sure to be a bit of a dream come true for lazy Mancs, all late risers and loungewear lovers can get themselves down to either the Ashton or Warrington IKEA stores to make the most of all the cosy action.
Anyone signed up to be an ‘IKEA Family’ member who visits their local store wearing pyjamas this weekend can help themselves to a free breakfast of either a small cooked Full English or a breakfast roll, with veggie and vegan options available, or any children’s breakfast for those under 16.
That’s not all either, as pyjama-clad shoppers will also be able to snag an exclusive £15 discount when they spend £50 or more in-store on the same day.
If all of that wasn’t enough to get you down there as it is, there’s also set to be a special visit from BJÖRN bear in the restaurant for little ones, as well as loads of other free events in stores nationwide to get yourselves stuck into.
To bag your free breakfast and £15 discount, you just need to become an ‘IKEA Family’ member first by signing up for free on the IKEA website to unlock access to a range of exclusive deals and benefits, as well as up to 20% off on IKEA ‘Sleep Essentials’ until Monday 30 September.
To turn up in your PJs though? That’s open to all.
IKEA Pyjama Day is taking place at stores nationwide this Saturday 7 September, and you can find out more on the IKEA website here.
Featured Image – IKEA
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Costa, Greggs, and more unveil 2024 autumn menus full of new toasties, cakes, and seasonal drinks
Emily Sergeant
Tasty toasties, cakes, seasonal drinks, and more all feature on the new 2024 autumn menus at a handful of popular high street coffee shop chains.
As summer draws to a close and the colder months edge closer, it’s not uncommon the high street’s best-loved coffee shop chains to unveil their limited-edition autumn menus around this time to help get us in the spirit.
Thankfully, Costa, Greggs, Starbucks, and Pret have all delivered so far.
Chicken and chorizo paninis, hog roast toasties, salt beef baguettes, salted caramel chocolate cakes, stem ginger cookies, and pumpkin spice doughnuts are just a selection of the mouthwatering foodie treats forming part of the new seasonal menus that you’ll soon be able to tuck into at each of the chains.
And of course, what would autumn be without pumpkin spice lattes? The cult-classic drink is now on the menu in both hot and cold format at Greggs, Pret, and its original home, Starbucks.
Costa, Greggs, and more have unveiled their new autumn menus for 2024 / Credit: Costa
Over at Costa, there’s a wide range of new items having been added to the lineup for the next couple of months, with some of the highlights being the Brie, Bacon, and Chilli Jam Panini, the Chilli Beef and Cheddar Toastie, a Sticky Pecan Mini Loaf, and a spooky iced gingerbread ghost biscuit, perfect for little ones or as a sweet snack.
Alongside the newbies, Costa’s fan-favourite Hog Roast Toastie, Roast Chicken and Bacon Sandwich, and Chocolate and Salted Caramel Cake will also be returning, as will the massively-popular Maple Hazel drinks range.
At Greggs, there’s a stunning selection of pumpkin spice treats to choose from, including the Pumpkin Spice Doughnut and classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, as well as other seasonal hot drinks like the Orange Mocha and Orange Hot Chocolate, and the much-loved Salted Caramel Latte, while when it comes to savoury options, there’s a new Mexican Bean and Spicy Cheese Flatbread, and an All-Day Breakfast Baguette to see you through the day.
The limited-edition menus are full of tasty toasties, sweet treats, and seasonal drinks / Credit: Pret | Greggs
Pret has also joined the pumpkin spice and salted caramel bandwagon for another year, with both lattes returning yet again, but some of the stand-out new additions to its menu include the Mushroom Florentine Toastie, the Beef & Horseradish Baguette, the Cinnamon Crown, and Spiced Apple & Pecan Muffin.
Starbucks is yet to fully unveil its new autumn menu, but is expected to do so very soon so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
However, what we do know is that the original Pumpkin Spice Latte is already back in all its glory.
Greggs and Pret’s new autumn menus are now available to tuck into for a limited time only, while Costa’s launches nationwide this Thursday (5 September), and Starbucks will be in due course.