Hadleigh discount retail store QD has introduced a food bank collection point to help generate more donations for the 'Just Food in Hadleigh' group.

Following a surge in demand for food banks as a result of COVID-19, QD has introduced the food collections as part of the latest activity in its Value Our Planet strategy. Launched in March, Value Our Planet is the QD group's commitment to being a responsible retailer, caring for the environment and world in which we live.

Customers are being invited to buy an extra item during their shop such as tinned goods or packaged food and drop it into the food bank collection point which is located in-store. The donations will be delivered by QD to the local food bank and distributed to those in need.

Nisha Collins, brand and events manager for the QD Group, said: "The past year has been incredibly tough for so many people. With the number of families and individuals using food banks as a result of the pandemic increasing by as much as 110%*, we wanted to do our bit to help.

"We're encouraging shoppers to pop an extra tin or two in their trolley if they can to help those who rely on the local food bank to get by. We are pleased to be running this in 24 stores initially and hope to roll it out shortly to the rest of the QD Group."

The additional cage is a welcome boost to Just Food that has announced it is now able to bring the cost of running the food bank down to zero and is helping the community more than ever.

Lead volunteer Neil Bevis said: "Many thanks for QD for coming aboard to join what is already a great community group which has allowed us to create a zero cost foodbank for the first month since we launched it back in October.

"I believe this is an amazing achievement for all involved and truly shows what can happen when a community come together and help each other. From 'just food in Hadleigh' we can't thank everyone enough."

The QD Group is an independent, family-owned chain of High Street value retail outlets. There are currently 27 QD - QualityDiscounts.com stores across the country, plus 15 Cherry Lane Garden Centres, four Thing-Me-Bob stores and Lathams of Potter Heigham.

The original concept of QD Stores' quality discounted retailing was first established back in 1985 by the company's CEO Nick Rubin's father, and current Chairman, Danny Rubins.

The aim was to offer customers a wide range of constantly changing, quality products at discounted prices, which led to the stores' name QD – short for Quality Discounts.

For more information on QD Stores, visit www.qualitydiscounts.com

Link here for more information on Just Food Hadleigh https://www.facebook.com/groups/851348395264736/