More than 1,000 people across the UK are being invited to enjoy a festive feast hosted by Waitrose & Partners and John Lewis & Partners as part of the retailers’ campaign to bring people together this Christmas.
Food redistribution charity FareShare has nominated more than 50 charities to take part, ranging from homeless hostels to lunch groups for the elderly.
Over the next two weeks the charities, those they support, together with volunteers, will gather to enjoy a Christmas dinner served by Partners from John Lewis and Waitrose. Some familiar faces will also be providing a helping hand, including sports personality Clare Balding and cricket star Jonathan Agnew.
Dinners will take place at private dining rooms in John Lewis shops and local charities’ dining spaces.
Commenting is Stephen Cawley, Partner and head of corporate responsibility at John Lewis & Partners. “We approached FareShare because we want to support the vital work charities do in the communities where we have shops.
“Our Partners across the UK are really enthusiastic about their involvement. We want to create special events that bring people together around the table; enjoying a memorable, festive feast, which they might not otherwise have.”
Also commenting is Alyson Walsh, FareShare’s commercial director. “We know that 46% of people receiving food from FareShare supported groups have gone without a proper meal in the last month. So, we are thrilled to be working with both John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners to provide these Festive Feasts and help more people feel part of the community.
“The Festive Feasts are a wonderful way to support the work happening in the communities in which they operate. This specific campaign also builds on the year-long work their shops do with local charities to meet local needs.”
In addition to the Festive Feasts, John Lewis and Waitrose are giving FareShare a £150,000 donation.
The donation is equivalent to providing 600,000 meals. Partners from both retailers have also pledged to volunteer at FareShare Regional Centres during the Christmas period.
Furthermore, this year the John Lewis Foundation has been funding FareShare’s warehouse and forklift truck training programme in Leeds. The initiative aims to help beneficiaries find employment.
