ALDI SYSTON

We work to relieve financial hardship amongst people in south and central Leicestershire by providing emergency food, essential toiletries and household items to those in need and/or for distribution by charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty. We also provide signposting and onward support to relevant information and other advisory services.

The Food Rescue Group, Leicester is a community-led initiative driven by local volunteers who care deeply about reducing food waste and supporting one another. Rooted in the belief that good food should never go to waste, the group brings people together to make a positive difference across Leicester. Food waste affects both the environment and our communities. Perfectly edible food is often discarded, contributing to landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions, while many households face challenges accessing fresh, healthy meals. By rescuing surplus food, the group helps reduce environmental harm and ensures food is shared where it is most valued. Working closely with local retailers, food businesses, and community partners, the group collects surplus food before it is thrown away and redistributes it locally. This collaborative approach benefits everyone involved, strengthening relationships, reducing waste, and supporting people across neighbourhoods. The pickup and distribution are coordinated by Eman Abdalla, who manages volunteer scheduling, oversees collections, and ensures that rescued food is delivered promptly, safely, and to where it is needed most. This coordination helps maintain efficiency, reliability, and a strong community focus across all activities. Volunteers remain at the heart of everything we do. Collections and redistribution are carried out with care, respect, and close attention to food safety, ensuring all shared food meets appropriate standards. Clear communication and teamwork allow the group to respond quickly and efficiently, keeping food fresh and operations community-centred. The impact in Leicester goes beyond food alone. Each collection helps build connections, encourages shared responsibility, and fosters a sense of belonging. By valuing food and supporting one another, the Food Rescue Group, Leicester is helping create a stronger, more caring, and more sustainable community.

Looprun is a response division and part of an independent social enterprise called Glass Mill Social Enterprise C.I.C. This is more than food and is part of a platform called RSBA1 (Response, Sustain, Build, Achieve). A free supportive services platform to help people get back on their feet. With up to 94% success rate and seeing once those receiving free Looprun response bags to returning to stores as shoppers with baskets full. These are the happy stories created when all come together to do good for good. Service users are signposted to Looprun mostly from referrals including professionals in social and healthcare. Looprun provides free non perishables, perishable food, toiletries, and clothing to people facing a challenge. Whatever you can do is turned into a grateful donation to a neighbour in need. As everything given and everybody counts. No food is banked providing a direct in and out service. We believe if the food is stored then a person in need is not getting any food, hence we provide an instant response and instant impact service. Looprun food donations can include fresh fruit, vegetables, bakery items and non perishables. Looprun has access to professional volunteers who carry out a confidential support service to people in need. From homeless shelters, hostels, sheltered housing, care homes and schools. This is a non voucher, free and confidential service. This means Looprun can reach more people in need with your food donations. Therefore we need your help to ensure we can supply the demand in this crisis. Anyone that receives a Looprun bag of essential food items is sustained thus creating a loop cycle. We, therefore, are a platform for a voice to be heard in the community and share life changing stories. It would be great to have more partners become part of these stories in your local community. Looprun has also expanded into providing toiletries and brand new items of clothing. For further information and gallery access on the impact of Looprun please visit: Website: www.loopruninstore.org