Award-winning social enterprise, Community Shop, has once again teamed up with long-standing partner Nestlé UK & Ireland to provide 45,000 families in need with access to food and festive goodies during the Christmas holiday period.

Breakfast provision will be delivered across the Community Shop network throughout the two-week Christmas break, including Nestlé’s Shredded Wheat and Cheerios cereals, Munch Bunch and Ski yoghurts, as well as milk and fruit. This will support children who might typically be reliant on school breakfast clubs, to still start the day with a nutritious and filling breakfast.

Families will be able to collect a Smarties penguin as a gift from Santa and can also take home a baking box to help them rustle up some festive treats at home. Many Community Shop members enjoyed the opportunity to bake together as a family during the summer, through the Healthy Holidays programme, but ingredients to do this regularly are a luxury which many family budgets cannot afford.

The baking boxes will include tins of Nestlé’s Carnation light condensed and evaporated milks, a pack of Nesquik All Natural and other baking ingredients, along with three recipes from Nestlé chefs.

Pets are catered for as well, with dog and cat food donations from Nestlé Purina ensuring families do not need to choose between whether they feed themselves or their pets.

The transformative social and economic impact delivered by Community Shop is hallmarked by its powerful partnerships. At the heart of Community Shop’s work is the understanding that big challenges need big solutions, and that these are always best delivered in partnership, including with Nestlé UK & Ireland.

Stefano Agostini, Chief Executive of Nestlé UK&I said

"Christmas will feel different for all of us this year. But for families who are already struggling, this time is especially hard. Many people go hungry in the run up to Christmas, or afterwards, in order to afford the additional expense that the festive period brings."

“Access to food is an urgent problem, and this year has been a struggle for many more people. As Christmas gets closer, thousands of families are at risk of hunger. Building on our £1 million investment this summer, through our partnership with Community Shop we will be helping them to access some of the food they need at this critical time of year as well as create some magical memories.”

John Marren, Founder & Chairman of Community Shop said:

“We are very proud of our long-standing partnership with Nestlé UK & Ireland and are incredibly grateful for their generous donation as we enter another holiday period which will be difficult for many families, more so than ever this year. Nestlé’s generosity means we can reach more children and families in need, ensuring they have access to food and support, as well as being able to enjoy some of the traditional Christmas festivities and treats."

“Our ongoing partnership with Nestlé continues to enable us to provide an invaluable lifeline to so many, and to work together to create long-lasting, meaningful impact in the communities we are so proud to serve.