John Lewis Partnership to donate £1m to over 1,000 local charities
As part of its support, both John Lewis and Waitrose shops will direct its regular community donations to charities in its own communities that support children in poverty
The John Lewis Partnership has announced that it will donate over £1m this summer to more than 1,000 local charities and community organisations in an effort to help end child poverty across the UK.
As part of its support, both John Lewis and Waitrose shops will direct its regular community donations to charities in its own communities that support children in poverty. The support will run from May to July 2021 – providing support during the May half term and summer holidays when the risks are at its peak.
Support will be given through donations of money, products (for example, clothing or kitchen equipment) and food donations. The group is also a member of Marcus Rashford’s Child Food Poverty Task Force, a coalition of brands working together to end child food poverty.
In addition to the donation, Waitrose shops will continue to donate surplus food to FareShare, a food distribution charity. Since 2017, the company has donated the equivalent of more than five million meals to those in need.
Additionally, the “Give a Little Love” campaign has already raised over £3m for FareShare, Home-Start and local community groups, with a further £2m pledged earlier this year by the partnership.
Marija Rompani, partner and director of ethics and sustainability at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “No child should ever go hungry or be without basic human needs and 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.”
Rashford added: “John Lewis Partnership is a valuable founding member of the Child Food Poverty Task Force and the company has strongly demonstrated their 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 and 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.”
