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Supermarket Sweep donates leftover food to Maidstone Day Centre and Lily Smith House for homeless

The return of Supermarket Sweep has done more than send contestants wild in the aisles.

When filming wrapped up and the lights went out at Maidstone Studios, producers donated all of the food on display to those less fortunate.

Maidstone Day Centre has received food donations from Supermarket Sweep pictured Zofia Grzymala.Picture: Sean Aidan (16393542)
Maidstone Day Centre has received food donations from Supermarket Sweep pictured Zofia Grzymala.Picture: Sean Aidan (16393542)

Last month Maidstone Day Centre received more than three vans full of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as flour, sugar and more.

Zofia Grzymala said she was speaking to the team behind the reboot for weeks while they filmed nearby.

The homeless care manager said: "At one point they delivered around half a van with food, we thought it was great and we were able to share it with Lily Smith House.

"Then on August 23 three vans full of food turned up at our day centre. It was was fantastic, there was loads of really good quality items in there."

The day centre in Knightrider Street used its share of the donations to serve up food to the homeless, while half of the haul went to vulnerable adults living at Lily Smith House.

Dee cooks at Maidstone Day Centre, which received more than three vans full of donations from Supermarket Sweep. Picture: Sean Aidan
Dee cooks at Maidstone Day Centre, which received more than three vans full of donations from Supermarket Sweep. Picture: Sean Aidan

Miss Grzymala said: "We were nicely surprised when all of the vans turned up. It meant there was enough food for the homeless people who use our kitchen to have a feast.

"It was also great for the clients from the hostel, they're really struggling with surviving on what benefits they receive, so this has really helped a lot of people."

The ITV2 reboot, hosted by Rylan Clark-Neal, also donated food to Fareshare, which has a centre in Ashford.

The show returned to screens on Monday night and is on every week night at 8pm, with a voice over provided by Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine.

Rylan Clark-Neal will host the new Supermarket Sweep, which was filmed at Maidstone Studios (16115442)
Rylan Clark-Neal will host the new Supermarket Sweep, which was filmed at Maidstone Studios (16115442)

New host Rylan Clark-Neal said: "What’s lovely about the show is that none of the food is going to waste.

"Instead of chucking it out we’ve been sending all the food to a local foodbank and shelters.

"I really love the fact we are making sure there is absolutely no food wastage.

"It’s great that we’re all having a laugh while filming a TV show but I’m really proud of the fact that when the cameras stop rolling we are making a difference in people‘s lives. How amazing is it that we can do that?

"So, I don’t feel quite as bad when I rob the odd chocolate bar"

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone.

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