National kitchen retailer Magnet is partnering with anti-poverty charity Trussell, and says it is helping to organise food donations, employee fundraising challenges, and even providing new kitchens to local Trussell food banks.
The new partnership is being launched as part of the retailer’s new Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, called Better with Magnet, which the company says focuses on the positive difference it can make for people, homes and communities.
To kick off the partnership, Magnet employees raised funds via a month-long step challenge which took place throughout May. Magnet staff members walked a virtual route from the company’s headquarters in Darlington to Trussell’s headquarters in Salisbury and back again.
According to Magnet, its staff raised nearly £4,000 through the step challenge, which it says could help provide emergency food to over 300 people facing hunger.
“At Magnet, we believe no one should face an empty kitchen, but we know that for many people, having food in the cupboard and a safe, welcoming place to turn to is not something they can take for granted,” commented Sophie Rose, Magnet CEO
“Trussell supports people at some of the hardest moments in their lives, and for a business built around kitchens and homes, that connection feels incredibly important to us. This partnership gives us a meaningful way to use our nationwide network, products and the passion of our people to support communities across the UK. We’re proud to partner with such a fantastic cause and look forward to working together to help more people out of crisis.”
Joannna Freeborough, Trussell’s head of partnerships, added: “We are extremely grateful that Magnet and their colleagues have chosen Trussell to be its first ever charity partner. Like us, Magnet believes that no one’s cupboards should be empty, which is why food banks can’t be.
“Every day, people are forced to turn to a food bank because they don’t have enough money to live on. Last year alone, food banks in the Trussell community provided 2.6 million emergency food parcels to people facing hunger and hardship.
“As hunger continues to grip communities across the UK, we need everyone to play their part to end the need for food banks for good. Through pledging to fundraise for us, Magnet will help food banks to keep providing vital support while we work towards a future where no one needs to turn to a food bank to get by.”
In related news, Magnet CEO Sophie Rose recently spoke to kbbreview following her appointment as the company’s head, where she discussed that supporting both local causes and the wider industry was one of her key priorities in the role.
