FREE CARROTS, FARESHARE AND FOOD REDISTRIBUTION – MCDONALD’S UK ENDS 2020 WITH BUMPER GIVEAWAY

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, as between 20^th – 24^th December, McDonald’s has committed to a series of donations to support families during the festive period.

The company will donate over 25 tonnes of surplus food to FareShare as part of its ongoing partnership with the food poverty charity as well as 50,000 Happy Meal books to Home Start and other charities for families who may be struggling after such a tough year.

This follows the company’s recent funding for FareShare to enable the redistribution of over five million meals over the next few months to families in greatest need.

As part of the magical ritual of Christmas Eve, families will also be able to collect free Reindeer Treats (carrot bags) at any local McDonald’s.

Vicky Pattison & Pete Wicks visited the South Wigston FareShare facility to see just how the food and funding from McDonald’s will be used this Christmas and to find out how these crucial centres work.

During their visit, they met with staff and volunteers to learn more about the essential effort the charity does for families who need a helping hand, as well as delivering donations on behalf of McDonald’s and its suppliers. The pair helped volunteers with sorting, storing and recording deliveries as well as packing supplies and loading vans ready to be delivered to local charity members across the region.

McDonald’s is committed to supporting families both in times of celebration and need, through long-standing charity partnerships, as well as moments of joy and the national effort to fight food poverty as Vicky & Pete were able to see first-hand.

Marcus Rashford said:

“Upon joining the Child Food Poverty Taskforce, McDonald’s desire to contribute to supporting our most vulnerable and make change was clearly evident. This winter will be, for millions of families, one of the toughest on record and the commitment McDonald’s are announcing today will make the biggest difference to so many. We all have a role to play in combating child food poverty across the UK and I’m proud to see McDonald’s really step up to the plate.”

Michelle Graham-Clare, Vice President, Marketing and Menu, McDonald’s UK and Ireland said: “2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone. We’re incredibly proud to be able to play our part and our partnership with FareShare sees us support them in the vitally important work they do to support families in greatest need. Together with our suppliers, we’re providing tonnes of porridge and baked goods to support the fantastic work of this brilliant organisation.

“Christmas really is a time for families so we’re delighted to offer a little lift for the little ones in our lives too, from free ‘Reindeer Treats’ on Christmas Eve through to helping parents capture magical videos of reindeer in their living room with our Reindeer Ready Live app.

“In a year like no other, it is more important than ever for us to provide support and a little lift for all families this Christmas. We’ll vary our opening hours this Christmas to give our employees more time with their loved ones whilst still making sure those morning McMuffins or late night McNuggets are there when you need us.”

As well as free giveaways and donations, McDonald’s will also be supporting families by providing free, fun activities for families. Returning again this year is Reindeer Ready Live, an Augmented Reality tool which allows customers to capture footage of Rudolph or his friends appearing in their living room to eat ‘Reindeer Treats’ to show your children on Christmas Day.

All customers need to do is visit the Reindeer Ready Live hub reindeerready.co.uk from a mobile device. Parents will also be able to find other features on the hub including free activity sheets and an audiobook.

Pop star Becky Hill performs a cover of Forever Young on the McDonald’s 2020 Christmas advertisement with 10p from every download going to FareShare in the UK and 10c to Food Cloud in Ireland. The single is expected to enter the charts this weekend and has raised thousands for the charities in the process.

For more information, images or video content, please contact McDonaldsChristmas@RedConsultancy.com

--ENDS –

1.    McDonald’s has provided over 25 tonnes of bagels, bread, baked goods and porridge to FareShare this week

2.    50,000 books are available for Home Start and other charities

3.    Carrot bags will be given away free whilst stocks last, it is expected more than 100,000 bags will be distributed this year with all Happy Meal orders