Trussell and Felix want volunteers for 3-hour shifts at large Tesco stores from 26 to 28 November, when shoppers donate food for food banks and charities.

The Tesco Winter Food Collection runs in all large Tesco stores from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 November, and its two charity partners, Trussell and Felix, are asking people to give a few hours in store to help it collect more.

Now in its 14th year, the collection asks shoppers to buy long-life food and other items and leave them at a collection point for families who need them this winter. Tesco says customers donated almost 1.5 million meals’ worth of food last year.

Volunteers stand at the collection points, tell shoppers what their donation will do and take in the items. Felix says a shift is three hours.

Where the food goes

Food given for Trussell goes to its community of food banks, which make up emergency food parcels for people who cannot afford the essentials. Trussell says one in five of its food parcels comes from Tesco and its customers.

Food given for Felix supports its network of more than 8,000 local charities and community groups. Felix is the new name for the food redistribution charity formed this year when The Felix Project, which grew into London’s largest food redistribution charity, merged with FareShare. It says more than half of the charities in its network have reported a rise in demand in the last year.

What the charities say

Matthew van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive of Trussell, said: “As temperatures drop and bills start to rise, more people will be forced to seek our food banks’ help. But with the support of Tesco, their customers and our incredible food collection volunteers, food banks can stay better stocked ready to support people facing hunger in their local communities.

“We urgently need you to play your part by getting involved in Tesco’s Food Collection, whether that’s through spreading the word, donating essential items or volunteering your time. Every small action makes an incredible difference.”

Charlotte Hill, chief executive of Felix, said: “Food from Felix reaches a network of over 8,000 charities and community organisations across the UK, helping them to provide food support alongside access to other vital services. At a time when demand for food support is growing and people are struggling with the cost of living, the Tesco Winter Food Collection is more important than ever.

“We know from experience that having volunteers present in store significantly increases the number of food items donated, and hope that more people than ever will generously give up their time this year. By volunteering just three hours, people can play an important part in our mission and help create lasting change in communities across the country.”

Christine Heffernan, Tesco’s chief communications and sustainability officer, said: “The Winter Food Collection is a key moment in the Tesco calendar as part of our commitment to supporting families across the UK get access to food when they need it most. Last year, our generous customers donated almost 1.5m meals worth of food to the collection and, by volunteering a few hours of your time, you can help us increase donations allowing Felix and Trussell to get food to even more people facing a tough winter.”

What it means for you

To volunteer, sign up with either charity. With Trussell, you find your nearest participating food bank and register your interest; the food bank then contacts you to confirm a slot. Trussell says volunteers welcome customers, hand out lists of urgently needed items and receive donations. To volunteer with Felix, sign up at felix.org/tescofoodcollection.

To donate food, go to a large Tesco store between 26 and 28 November, buy an item or two from your local food bank’s list of most needed items as part of your shop, and hand them to the volunteers or leave them at the collection point.

If you cannot get to a store, Trussell takes money donations on its collection page.

More things to do this month are in our What’s On guide.