Christmas cheer for foodbanks and nurseries with KeyStore campaign

Convenience store group KeyStore is once again encouraging retailers to engage with children’s nurseries in their area by donating Christmas selection boxes in an initiative inspired last year by long-established retailer Chris Watson of KeyStore Corseford in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, who met with his local nursery and discovered that they do not receive the same financial support as primary and secondary schools.

“Chris is one of KeyStore’s most prolific community supporters so we were delighted to launch this last year and hope that the 2022 campaign will put a big smile on little faces in the run-up to Christmas once again,” said Craig Brown, chief sales and marketing officer at JW Filshill.

“We have even more KeyStore retailers looking to take part in scheme this year with 45 nurseries, over 2,500 kids – from Sgoil An Rubha Nursery on the Isle of Lewis to West Road Nursery in Doncaster. In 2021, we distributed 1,630 selection boxes to 31 nurseries.

“There is no doubt that retailers who engage with their local community build long-term customer loyalty and reap the rewards in terms of additional sales and footfall – and both our food bank and nurseries campaigns are prime examples of community engagement at its best.”

Meanwhile, the Glasgow-based wholesaler is also encouraging retailers to support their local food bank in the run-up to Christmas by placing dumpbins in-store for customers to donate food and other items.

KeyStore outlets across the country are providing collection points for customers to donate non-perishable food products including packaged cereals, rice and pasta, pasta sauce, tinned meat and vegetables, tea and coffee, biscuits, and UHT milk and fruit juice. Food banks also require vital non-food products, including pet food, toiletries, feminine products, baby supplies and household items such as washing-up liquid and laundry products.

The initiative is now in its fourth year and many stores have decided to collect donations for local food banks all year round, retaining the free wire dumpbin provided by Glasgow-based wholesaler JW Filshill in 2019.

Brown added: “We get tremendous support for Christmas food bank campaign from KeyStore retailers and it’s no surprise that many now support their local food bank throughout the year – not just during the festive season – given the central role they play in their communities.

“This year we have another 41 stores taking part in the scheme with each dumpbin and branded KeyStore wrap given to retailers free of charge so it provides a really easy way for our customers to support their local community and help those in need.

“Donation points for food banks are more important than ever this year given the current cost-of-living crisis and we know that the efforts of KeyStore retailers and their customers will make a huge difference to families and individuals across the length and breadth of Scotland and the north of England.”