The John Lewis Partnership is stepping up efforts to support those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic as well as helping to end child poverty across the UK. As part of its Give a Little Love programme, which aims to make a lasting difference to those in need, the retailer will donate over £1m this summer to more than 1,000 local charities and community organisations.

A total of 2.3 million children experienced food insecurity between March and August last year. Plus, 850,000 children reported that they or their families visited a food bank. To help tackle this important issue, each John Lewis and Waitrose shop will be directing their regular community donations to charities in their own communities that support children in poverty.

This support will run from May to July; providing vital support during the May half term and summer holidays when millions of children are at risk of being hungry. Support will be given through donations of money, products (for example, clothing), and food donations.

The John Lewis Partnership is also a member of Marcus Rashford’s Child Food Poverty Task Force; a coalition of brands working together to end child food poverty.

Commenting is Marija Rompani, Partner and director of ethics and sustainability at the John Lewis Partnership. “No child should ever go hungry or be without basic human needs. We want to do all we can to help. By working with the many incredible charities in local communities across the country, we hope to make a real impact and help as many children as we can.”

Marcus Rashford MBE, adds; “John Lewis Partnership is a valuable founding member of the Child Food Poverty Task Force. The company has strongly demonstrated its commitment to ending child food poverty across the UK since we formed. ‘Give a Little Love’ was a powerful and touching campaign over the Christmas holidays. I’m thrilled to see that campaign being built upon to guarantee more of those in need get the help they deserve. I want to take the opportunity to thank the John Lewis Partnership for their ongoing support.”

The announcement is the latest of several initiatives the Partnership has launched to support families in need. The Give a Little Love campaign has already raised over £3m for long-term charity partners FareShare, Home-Start, and local community groups. The Partnership also pledged a further £2m earlier this year. This is in addition to donating nearly 5,000 items of warm clothing to Home-Start to distribute to families during winter.