Thousands of meals have been donated to charities across Berkshire over Christmas and the New Year.

Major supermarket brand Aldi donated 11,700 meals to those in need in by pairing up its stores with local charities, community groups and food banks in the area.

Charities were able to collect unsold fresh and chilled food when stores closed their doors early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Amongst those given donated food were Reading Red Kitchen and Whitley Community Development Association.

The food donations are part of Aldi’s successful partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that links businesses to charitable organisations.  

Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “We are so proud to work with such amazing charity partners throughout the UK and the impact they have cannot be underestimated, especially during the winter months when their services are needed more than ever.

“We are pleased that through our partnership with both Neighbourly and Company Shop, we have been able to give back to the communities we serve by providing more donations than ever this Christmas.”