Donations heavier than Statue of Liberty received by Salvation Army in Leeds

Through its partnership with Asda, The Salvation Army has received a tonne’s worth of clothing, textiles, and bric-a-brac from generous customers each week at its ‘Drop & Shop’ site at the supermarket’s sustainability store in Middleton, Leeds.

Salvation Army shops have been temporarily closed due to lockdown restrictions, but Asda shoppers have still been able to support the church and charity by donating over 220 tonnes of their unwanted items to the donation point.

Kirk Bradley, Salvation Army Trading Company’s Head of Corporate Partnerships, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Asda’s sustainability team on the new ‘Drop & Shop’ concept.

“This enables us to interact with Asda’s customers and donors; it also gives more people the opportunity to reuse and recycle their pre-loved items which helps reduce waste and raise more money for vital charity work.

“By donating to the Salvation Army’s ‘Drop & Shop’ or our clothing banks, people are supporting the work being done across the country to help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Providing essentials like hot meals for rough sleepers, food parcels for struggling families and doorstep friendship for isolated older people has been invaluable during the pandemic.

Over the last year Salvation Army centres in Leeds stepped in to provide support to vulnerable people in the city. Leeds West Hunslet and Morley corps provided emergency food parcels, and delivered them to those who couldn’t get to the churches for help, while Leeds Central corps prepared hot daily meals.

In 2020, Asda collected over 8100 tonnes of unwanted textiles from over 400 store recycling banks in its carparks which have raised valuable funds for charities including The Salvation Army.

To find out where your nearest collection point or clothing bank is, visit our Trading Company website here