Southampton port operator makes 'very kind' donation to local food charity

Logistics firm DP World Southampton has donated £5,000 to The Big Difference, a food charity working in Southampton’s local communities.

The money helped with set up costs and infrastructure at the charity’s new distribution hub, which will be the largest community pantry in the city.

The Big Difference supports more than 100 local charities, community groups and schools by helping struggling families and those facing food insecurity.

Since being founded four years ago, it’s grown to become one of the biggest outreach projects in Southampton.

DP World Southampton staff will have the opportunity to volunteer their time and help sort food donations, make parcels and deliver them to local community groups in need.

The Big Difference Chief Executive Dr Sanjan Mall thanked the DP World team for their “very kind” donation.

He said: “We are thrilled with the new site in the middle of Northam estate, serving thousands of families struggling with food costs.

“The feedback from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive and the friendships and sense of community we are building has put a smile on everyone’s face.

“It is a real pleasure that we can use kind volunteers from DP World who will give up their time to help us make a variety of parcels and food packs which will be sent to one of many communities we are working with.”

Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive for Ports & Terminals at DP World in the UK, said: “By donating to charities like The Big Difference, which directly address the needs of the community, we are playing an active role in helping to tackle localised food poverty.

“I encourage all those able to help out at The Big Difference to give their time to see how projects like these can help save lives and make a genuine impact.”

DP World, which operates Southampton container terminal, has its global HQ in Dubai.

It provides logistics, freight forwarding and transport services across almost 80 countries.