Along with Aston Villa, Oxford United, Wycombe Wanderers and Sutton United, LFC and Everton FC have received large quantities of non-perishable food donated from Wembley Stadium’s 500,000 items of surplus, in addition to goods donated by leading supermarket Aldi.
Due to the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Wembley has been unable to host attendees at major football and hospitality events and, as a result, has accumulated a massive surplus of approximately half-a-million items of food. It has donated the goods to Football for Peace to ensure that this food does not go to waste and supports those who need it most.
LFC’s Red Neighbours and Everton in the Community programmes were chosen as being two of the beneficiaries due to both charities residing in one of the most socially deprived areas in the UK. The last few days have seen community staff out and about across Liverpool delivering goods to local care homes, community centres, community pantries, food banks and Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
Both Liverpool and Everton have been at the forefront of supporting the local community during the pandemic and this latest campaign, in collaboration with Football For Peace, is just one part of the clubs' COVID-19 outreach across the Liverpool City Region.
Over the last 12 months, the Reds have donated £320,000 to local food banks, provided 15.5 tonnes of food and delivered more than 58,000 freshly prepared meals to support local people and families in need.
Fifteen community pantries have also been introduced around the Liverpool City Region with the support of the club and its partners, which will provide a sustainable long-term option and dignity of choice to those in food crisis for years to come.
Forbes Duff, Red Neighbours’ senior manager, added: “Battling food poverty is a core theme of activity for Red Neighbours, so for us to have access to this very generous donation from Football for Peace is fantastic. It will enable us to continue our support of North Liverpool Foodbank, Fans Supporting Foodbanks as well as those requiring extra support in our local communities.”
Kash Siddiqi, co-founder of Football for Peace, said: “We’re delighted to be working with our football club partners and Aldi to offer support to families who have been hit hard by the pandemic. When we heard about the surplus food at Wembley, we knew it was a great opportunity to contribute to communities across the country and make a real impact.
“It’s great to see the football community coming together for such a worthwhile cause and we’re extremely grateful to all the partners and clubs who have helped the Football for Peace food drive make a real difference.”
Learn more about Football for Peace here.