Aldi donated 391 meals to local good causes to help people in need over the Easter school holidays.
The supermarket’s stores across the UK have paired up with local charities, community groups and foodbanks through its partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly.
More than 550,000 meals were donated throughout the UK, with almost 2,000 UK causes benefitting from the initiative in total.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK,said:“We understand that the school holidays can be an especially challenging time for families, particularly amid the current cost-of-living crisis.
“Neighbourly carries out such vital work in the community, so we’re proud to be able to support them and the charities, foodbanks and community groups they work with in Midlothian in their efforts to support those who may be struggling.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: “The impact of the cost-of-living crisis has intensified, meaning that the demand on foodbanks is continuing to increase, particularly during the school holidays.
“The donations from Aldi are a lifeline for many and provide the essential boost good causes need to continue supporting their local communities.”
With the Easter school holidays nearly here, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families in Scotland not to miss out on UK Government help to pay for childcare.
Tax-Free Childcare can pay for any approved childcare for children aged 11 or under, or 16 if the child has a disability. More than 26,000 families in Scotland used the scheme in December 2022.
Working families, where each parent or carer earns up to £100,000 can use it, meaning for every £8 paid into an online account they will receive an additional £2 from the government. This means parents and carers can receive up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year for each child), or £1,000 (£4,000 a year for each child) if their child is disabled.
Whether children go to nursery, a childminder, attend breakfast, after school or holiday clubs, as well as out of school activities, Tax-Free Childcare could be used.
Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account is quick and easy and can be done at any time of the year. Families who have not yet signed up should check their eligibility and apply online today.
Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to The Treasury, said: “Tax-Free Childcare provides extra help with childcare costs which could make all the difference to working families and make childcare expenses more manageable.
“I would urge families to go online today to find out how it can help you.”
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Childcare is so important for working families, especially during school holiday time. Tax-Free Childcare provides financial support when it’s needed the most.
“Search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK to find out how it could help you.”
A Tax-Free Childcare account can be opened online in just 20 minutes. Money can be deposited at any time to be used straight away, or whenever it is needed.
Unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time. Go to GOV.UK to register and get started.
Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they:
· have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they can receive support until 1 September after their 16th birthday
· earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average
· each earn no more than £100,000 per annum
· do not receive tax credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers .
The UK Government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support, including help with childcare costs, families could be eligible for.
Aldi helped local charities in Edinburgh and the Lothians provide 5,089 meals to people in need over the Easter school holidays.
The supermarket paired its stores up with local charities, community groups and food banks to donate surplus food, making the most of unsold fresh and chilled food throughout the Easter period.
Around 105 tonnes of food were donated throughout the UK, with more than 187,000 meals going to causes focused on supporting families and children.
The donations followed research from Aldi and community-giving platform Neighbourly which found that 98% of food banks in Scotland have seen demand soar since the start of the year.
Neighbourly recently polled more than 700 food banks and community causes nationwide and found that an estimated 30% of people using these services in Scotland in recent months have been new to the food banks.
On average, food banks in the region reported an average rise in demand of around 28% for their services so far this year, with expectations of further increases of around 29% in the next three months as higher energy bills and an increase in national insurance contributions add to the pressure.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said: “The school holidays can be a busy time for the local charities and organisations we support, but, especially in the current climate, food banks are experiencing even greater demand than usual.
“We’re proud to support so many good causes in Edinburgh and the Lothians, helping them to provide meals to those in need over the recent school holidays.”
Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, added:“The findings of our latest survey highlight that the cost-of-living crisis is clearly deepening, with families and households up and down the country really starting to feel the pinch and turning to charities and local causes for support as a result.
“During what is a hard time for everyone, anything people can do to give back in the coming weeks will make all the difference.”
Aldi has community donation points in stores nationwide to help those in need, and is encouraging customers to help in any way they can.
According to its poll with Neighbourly, products that are most in demand at local community groups include tinned food, tea and coffee, UHT milk, toiletries, and household cleaning products.
