The Force was strong at Tesco Stroud as a Star Wars stormtrooper patrolled the store to help raise funds for the local foodbank.
Shoppers and staff gave cash donations in exchange for having their photo taken with the galactic soldier on Star Wars Day.
As part of the store’s Community Focus Month, there are also a range of displays at the store from Stroud District Foodbank, the Marah Trust and various surrounding community hubs that help local people.
Julie Sarahs, community champion at the store, said: “We’re so grateful to Gloucestershire Stormtroopers for kindly sending one of their volunteers. He brought a real star quality to the day and our customers loved him.
“He was really great at raising awareness and funds for the foodbank, as well as the many good causes doing so much to help people in and around Stroud.
“Our local hubs offer a wide range of services, including debt advice, gardening and a toy library for youngsters.
“By giving them space in our store to show what they do, hopefully more people who maybe need their help have become aware of them, and perhaps the hubs will even gain some new volunteers or financial donations.”
In addition to the good causes at the store this month, information about Tesco’s Community Grants scheme is on display, with people able to nominate or vote for a Stroud charitable organisation that would benefit from £500, £1,000 and £1,500.
The scheme has donated thousands of pounds to Stroud causes in recent years, and Julie is keen to see more of them benefit.
She added: “The three recent Community Grants nominees – Cainscross Minis Rugby Club, Gastrells Community Primary School and Marling School – have been voted for by shoppers and are now eagerly awaiting the news of how much they have been awarded.
“This month customers can vote for three new nominees – The Fig Tree Stonehouse, School Food Matters and The Stanleys Scouts Group.
“As well as raising awareness about the scheme, my aim is to use the Community Focus Month to promote the food-security services available to those in need and to enlist more volunteers or donations of goods, services or money.
“We are also reducing store waste by donating unsold short-date produce to charities via the FareShare scheme.”
For further information about the Tesco Community Grants scheme, visit https://tescocommunitygrants.org.uk/
