Teams from developer Barratt David Wilson have delivered items they've been collecting for Swindon Food Collective.
The aim is to help fill shelves during the half-term and summer holidays.
The cost-of-living crisis has made initiatives like the Swindon Food Collective more precious than ever to the local communities they support - but has had a devastating impact on donations.
“For the first time in a long time we are having to purchase high levels of stock to ensure we can feed the numbers of people coming through our doors," said Cher Smith MBE, manager of the Swindon Food Collective.
"Everything from shampoo and toothpaste to tea bags and tinned vegetables are in really short supply.
"Knowing companies like Barratt Homes Bristol and Barratt David Wilson Homes South West are sharing news of what we do with their staff, and triggering this kind of response, makes such a difference.”
In 2023, Swindon Food Collective fed almost 10,500 people, a quarter of them children. It relies on donations of non-perishable, tinned or dried food and toiletries from churches, schools, local companies, community groups, supermarkets and individuals which are used to create food boxes shared with those who are often referred via schools, doctors or social workers. It has 12 distribution centres around Swindon where food is collected.
People can find out about donating at https://www.swindonfoodcollective.org/donate-food/
Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, said: “We know that during holidays like half term when there are no school meals to rely on, the stress hits families harder than ever.
"Initiatives like Swindon Food Collective recognises and respects those families with the help they provide which is why were really keen to offer our support."
Andrea Pilgrim, sales director for Barratt Homes Bristol, added: "The Swindon Food Collective shows the difference communities can make when people pull together. Something like an office collection is so simple but can add up to a big difference to a charity like this. Our teams feel it is a complete privilege to be involved."
People who would like to support Swindon Food Collective are asked to visit www.swindonfoodcollective.org
Barratt Homes Bristol and Barratt David Wilson Homes South West are currently building new homes at Wichelstowe. Residents at Wichelstowe can donate food for Swindon Food Collective at the nearby Waitrose supermarket.
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