In a major festive gesture, supermarket chain Lidl GB is set to distribute a staggering 100 tonnes of surplus food on Christmas Eve, directly supporting communities across the United Kingdom.
Christmas Eve Redistribution to Aid Thousands
The initiative forms part of Lidl's ongoing Feed it Back programme, run in collaboration with the community platform Neighbourly. The supermarket estimates this single donation will help create more than 238,000 Christmas meals for individuals and families facing hardship nationwide.
The vast array of goods includes high-quality surplus items such as baked goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, and frozen products. Lidl employees and local volunteers from charity partners will work together to ensure the food is redistributed from stores to those who need it most on 24 December.
Beyond Food: The Lidl Community Fund and Toy Bank
Lidl's festive support extends beyond food donations. Through its Christmas Toy Bank initiative, the retailer has provided gifts for children, awarding more than £150,000 in grants to over 600 causes this Christmas alone.
This work is underpinned by the Lidl Community Fund, an annual £500,000 pot dedicated to helping community partners tackle food poverty. Charities linked to Lidl's surplus food programme can apply for grants quarterly.
A Year-Round Commitment to Communities
While the Christmas effort is significant, Lidl's charity work continues throughout the year. The grocer has revealed it is on track to support more than four million people via surplus food donations in total.
During the current festive season, Lidl has already supplied the equivalent of 2.6 million meals to people across Britain. A spokesperson for Lidl GB stated the company is committed to playing its part in tackling hunger in the communities it serves, by enabling charitable organisations to carry out their vital work.
