Depaul UK agrees food donation partnership with Asda

Depaul UK in the North East has been given a major boost by supermarket chain Asda.

The supermarket’s distribution warehouse at Washington, Tyneside has agreed to support Depaul UK’s regional support centres by donating food that members of staff have bought or from surplus stock orders placed by the supermarket.

The general manager of the warehouse has set aside two trollies which staff fill with practical food items such as pasta, noodle pots, sauces and tinned products like meatballs and spaghetti, which can fill the centres’ cupboards for weeks.  Depaul UK’s regional facilities rely on donations such as this to feed young people who come there for help after finding themselves homeless for a variety of reasons.

Julie Duell, partnership development officer for Depaul UK who is based out of the charity’s Whitley Bay office, said: "Support from businesses like Asda is absolutely vital for us to be able to continue to help young homeless people throughout the North East.  Donations of this nature are just as important as being given a cash boost, as we need to have food supplies in for the young people who come to us in need of help. Often they haven’t eaten for a while and are grateful for whatever we can give them, so things like pasta meals or tinned foods that are quick to make are perfect.”

Depaul UK has support centres across the North East and also offers residential placements with Nightstop and Supported Lodgings carers who provide emergency and longer term housing for youngsters who are homeless.

Further links between Depaul UK and Asda have been forged as Depaul staff worked with their young residents mentoring and giving them support in order to apply for jobs in Asda’s regular recruitment rounds.  Three young people have been  successful and are delighted to have taken up posts with the supermarket chain. 

Vicky Brockley, General manager of the Asda distribution warehouse, said: "I cannot imagine anything worse than being homeless with no family support mechanism, so I’m delighted that we are supporting Depaul UK through this support partnership, which we know will make a real difference to the charity.”