Press release -
Post Office renews partnership with the Trussell Trust aiming to donate over £330,000 in the toughest winter yet for the charity
- Post Office will again donate 1p for every cash withdrawal in its 11,500 branches starting 7 November
- Customers of all High Street banks can support the campaign by withdrawing cash at the Post Office counter
- Campaign launches as Trussell Trust reveal almost 1.3 million food parcels provided to people across UK experiencing hunger over past six months – a third more than the same period in 2021
Five month campaign hopes to deliver a £330,000 donation to the Trussell Trust. Post Office has renewed its partnership with the Trussell Trust which delivered over £295,000 for the charity last winter.
As people face into another challenging cold season with the rising cost of living, Post Office is hoping to raise £330,000 for the charity this winter. Over the last six months, 320,000 people have been forced to turn to a food bank in the Trussell Trust network for the first time as the charity provided a third more food parcels than in the same period in 2021.
Customers of all High Street banks can help fund vital support provided by the Trussell Trust in all four nations of the UK just by withdrawing cash over the counter at a Post Office. For every cash withdrawal, Post Office will donate 1p to the Trussell Trust, at no cost to the customer.
Post Offices are providing a range of services to help people through the winter. From enabling people to withdraw exact amounts of cash to help them budget; to supporting over one million people claim the government’s £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme, Post Office branches are there to help people face the rising cost of living. With demand for these services on the rise, Post Office is again partnering with the Trussell Trust to make sure that everyone is aware of the practical support available through the Post Office while supporting the charity.
Last year’s campaign saw Post Offices across the country engage with their customers on how to help people in their communities. Many have developed links with their local food bank, with over 150 branches collecting food and household items for their local Trussell Trust food bank, delivering over two tonnes of goods this year, and many more working with independent food banks.
Nick Read, CEO of the Post Office, said:
“I’m delighted that Post Office is working with the Trussell Trust again this year with an ambitious target to raise over £330,000 this winter for the important work they do. More and more people are choosing to use cash to help them manage their budgets this year and the cash withdrawal services at Post Offices, including the ability to withdraw the exact amount of cash needed, means customers of all the High Street banks can help us raise money for this vital charity. With many of our branches based in convenience retailers, I’m also incredibly proud to see so many Postmasters stepping up and supporting their local food banks.”
Emma Revie, CEO of the Trussell Trust, said:
“Over the last five years, we have seen more and more people struggling to afford the essentials – such as food and clothing – for their families. The cost of living emergency has meant our food banks have experienced an alarming increase in need. In the past six months alone, our figures show almost 1.3 million emergency food parcels were provided for people across the UK experiencing hunger. That's more than our network has ever distributed during this period. Our new partnership means that just by withdrawing cash at your local Post Office branch, you will be helping us support families who are having to make impossible decisions between heating and eating this winter, while supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK, for good.’’
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About the Post Office
- With over 11,500 branches, Post Office has the biggest retail network in the UK, with more branches than all the banks and building societies combined.
- Post Office is helping anyone who wants cash to get it whichever way is most convenient. Partnership with over 30 banks, building societies and credit unions means that 99% of UK bank customers can access their accounts at their Post Office.
- Cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries can be made securely and conveniently over the counter at any Post Office; and the biggest investment by any organisation or company in the last decade is being made to safeguard 1,400 free-to-use ATMs across the UK.
- Post Office is simplifying its proposition for Postmasters with a focus on itscash and banking; mails and parcels; foreign exchange; andbill paymentsservices.
- Researchhas found that visits to the Post Office help drive another 400 million visitors to other shops, restaurants and local businesses equating to an estimated £1.1 billion in additional revenue for High Street businesses.
- 99.7% of the population live within three miles of a Post Office; and 4,000 branches are open seven days a week.