Skip to content

PRET INCREASES SUPPORT TO THOSE MOST IN NEED WITH NEW DONATION ON BEST SELLERS AND CREATES NEW JOBS

  • Pret pledges to increase support for people in need with a 20p donation from select best-selling baguettes, helping to raise more than £100k in April for The Pret Foundation

  • This will help Pret increase the number of people it can hire through its Rising Stars programme, supporting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, ex-offenders and refugees

  • Ehiz Ufuah, a TikTok star with more than 10 million followers, joins Pret’s calls to help those who need it most

  • This most recent donation to The Pret Foundation follows on from recent Ukrainian Employment Programme, granting at least 50 refugees financial and emotional support into employment

5th April 2022 – Pret A Manger will be donating 20p from the purchase of its best-selling baguettes to go towards new jobs for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, refugees and ex-offenders, as it ups its efforts to help those in need in the wake of the cost of living crisis. For the first time ever, Pret will donate proceeds from its most popular baguettes to help raise funds for The Pret Foundation, a charity focused on tackling hunger, poverty and homelessness. For every Chicken Caesar Bacon or Posh Cheddar & Pickle baguette bought during April, 20p will go to The Pret Foundation, Pret’s charitable partner. In addition,10p for every soup purchased will continue to be donated, helping Pret to raise over £100k in April. The funds will go towards the training and support of 75 people needing a second chance through The Pret Foundation’s Rising Stars programme over the next 12 months, giving people an opportunity to work at Pret A Manger and rebuild their life. From training and travel to weekly support groups, these new Rising Stars will get everything they need to work at Pret. The 75 new roles are in addition to the 50 new roles created for those fleeing the war in Ukraine as part of Pret’s Ukrainian Employment Programme, announced in March. To help raise awareness of the problem, social media sensation Ehiz Ufuah, a former homeless drama student who went viral last year for his funny and relatable TikToks, will be supporting Pret’s new campaign. With more than 10 million followers on TikTok, Ehiz hopes to encourage even more people to get involved in the fight against homelessness, poverty and hunger. Ehiz Ufuah said: “Having lived in emergency accommodation with my mum, without a home, I know how real this problem is. I’m proud to be working with Pret to highlight the rise in poverty and homelessness in the UK and encourage everyone to learn more about the problem and do what you can to help.” Pret has been supporting those most in need ever since it opened its doors over three decades ago through nightly food donations, monetary donations on products like soups and Christmas sandwiches, and by supporting The Pret Foundation’s Rising Stars programme. Guy Meakin, Interim Managing Director of UK&I said: “Ever since we opened our doors, we’ve been focused on helping those most in need. The past two years have been exceptionally difficult, and as a result, homelessness, poverty and hunger are a growing concern. That’s why we’re ramping up our support, looking to take on more refugees and homeless people this year as part of The Pret Foundation’s Rising Stars programme, and why we’re donating from select bestselling baguettes this month. I’m immensely proud that we’re able to help those most in need, when they need it most.” Nina Allard, Global Head of The Pret Foundation said: “The Pret Foundation was created over 25 years ago with the aim to help alleviate poverty, hunger and homelessness nearby Pret shops. What started out as a charitable project for Pret has grown into a registered charity, operating across the world supporting grassroots charities, offering food donations, and in the UK, funding our Rising Stars programme which looks to employee those most in need. “Since the start of pandemic, the industry has reported an increase of over 70% in requests for homelessness support in communities, so it’s clear that more needs to be done, so we’re thankful for Pret’s ongoing commitment and support.” To find out more about The Pret Foundations support to those most in need or how you can donate, visit: https://www.pret.co.uk/en-GB/the-pret-foundation