Over £7,500 has been donated to two local food charities in the Channel Islands thanks to The Channel Islands Co-operative Society’s Shared Lunch campaign.

The Society teamed up with two charities in the Islands, Caring Cooks of Jersey and the Guernsey Welfare Service, to help support Islanders who find themselves unable to afford a regular, nutritious meal for themselves and their families.

For the last eight weeks, the Society pledged to donate 20p from every lunchtime meal deal sold in their food stores to support the work of the two local food charities.

In Jersey, thanks to customers of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society, a total of £5,684 will be donated to Caring Cooks.

(Caring Cooks- L-R Kerry Simpson Elaine Feltham)

Since 2014, Caring Cooks has been making Islanders aware of the importance of good food and nutrition at every stage of life. Its weekly meal service is a fundamental part of the charity bringing home-cooked, nutritious meals to families going through challenging times. On average around 50 families are supported with approximately 1,000 meals in a year.

Fundraising and relationships manager at Caring Cooks, Yvonne Corbin, said: ‘Our Weekly Meal Service allows families to enjoy a home-cooked meal without the worry of affording ingredients. They can sit down together, just share a meal, laugh and bond as a family. We certainly couldn’t run this vital service without the generosity of organisations such as The Channel Islands Co-operative Society and for that we are hugely grateful.’

In Guernsey £2,199.80 was generated from sales of the lunchtime meal deal in the Society’s food stores and will be donated to the Guernsey Welfare Service.

(Guernsey Welfare Service- L-R Dave King, Foodbank Assistant, Sue Le Friec, GWS Co-Ordinator, Susi Glegg, Welfare Worker)

Since 1896, the Guernsey Welfare Service has been supporting Islanders who find themselves in financial difficulty or need. As well as running its essential foodbank service, the charity also offers courses teaching fundamental life skills including cookery, budgeting and money management.

Its team of volunteers and support workers provide a lifeline to individuals and families who may find themselves with nowhere else to turn.

Sue Le Friec, co-ordinator at the Guernsey Welfare Service, said: ‘This particular initiative will help us to support local families at this busy and expensive time of year. Our thanks go to the Co-op and its shoppers; the support is much appreciated by many.’

Ell Hopton, community and sustainability manager at The Channel Islands Co-operative Society, explained: ‘The ongoing challenges of this year have meant that more islanders are needing support from our local charities than ever before. Caring Cooks is not only emphasising the importance of good food and nutrition but it has proved to be a lifeline to parts of our community too. It’s incredible to know that this simple initiative has made a real difference.’