A Cotswold-based holiday lettings firm has shown its festive spirit by donating vital supplies to the North Cotswold Foodbank following a supermarket “trolley dash” by staff.
StayCotswold, which is based in Stow-on-the-Wold, organised the charity initiative on 2 December, with members of its team filling trolleys at Tesco in the town before delivering the items to the foodbank’s warehouse in Guiting Power.
The donation included much-needed food and household essentials, supporting the foodbank’s work with families and individuals across the North Cotswolds. The charity, which has operated since 2011, relies almost entirely on volunteers and provides help to people facing financial hardship in the local community.
Tracy Archer, owner and director of StayCotswold, said the initiative was a way for the company to give something back at a time when demand for support is high.
“The team really got into the Christmas spirit choosing items to help those in need in the local community,” she said. “We’re always looking for ways to give back, and the foodbank is a hugely important charity for many families in the region. Hopefully more local businesses can look to support this wonderful charity and its hard-working volunteers.”
North Cotswold Foodbank manager Kevin Carden said donations such as these are vital to keeping the service running. He highlighted items in greatest demand, including toilet rolls, deodorant, laundry products, tinned meat and fish, pasta sauces, cooking oil and cleaning products, as well as pet food and nappies.
“Little luxuries such as Marmite and peanut butter go a long way to putting smiles on faces of those who so often go without,” he said. “Our clients are generally working families struggling to make ends meet, and donations like this make a real difference to their lives.”
The foodbank distributes more than 1,700 food parcels each year, helping over 4,000 people in crisis. It is part of the Trussell community, which provides more than three million food parcels annually across the UK.
Founded in 2009, StayCotswold is an independent business with a portfolio of 280 holiday properties across the region. The company promotes local businesses and attractions through its website and says supporting the community it operates in is a key part of its ethos.