Product Giving Alliance urges businesses to donate goods and services to tackle COVID-19

Surplus food

Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive Officer of FareShare, the UK’s largest food redistribution charity, said: “Businesses have stepped up during this crisis, donating enough stock for FareShare to double the amount of food we get onto the plates of those in need.

“But we know that when the restrictions are lifted many more people will face financial insecurity. Giving surplus or donated products, or offering up valuable staff time and expertise will continue to be a smart, cost-effective way for businesses to make a big impact in the communities in which they operate.”

Last year, FareShare supported more than 10,000 charities and community groups, via food donations from 500 food companies.

The Alliance’s aims are to work in partnership to meet the needs of charities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the long-term. It also aims to give businesses confidence that their donations will deliver measurable social impact.

Environmental benefits

Another aim is to highlight the environmental benefits of donating surplus stock, instead of sending it to landfill or recycling.

“By joining forces we’ll be able to quickly signpost charities to get the products or services they need - whether that’s software, vital food, medical or household supplies to keep delivering their services,” said Rosanne Gray, Chief Executive Officer of In Kind Direct, which supplies essentials such as toiletries and clothes.

Meanwhile, Adele Paterson, Chief Executive Officer of International Health Partners, which distributes donated medicines and health supplies to disaster hit and vulnerable communities, said: “Encouraging businesses to consider donating goods and services, and streamlining that process as far as possible will make a real difference to the charities Product Giving Alliance members supply, and to the millions of vulnerable people, both here in the UK and abroad who rely on those organisations for support.”