By Finola Fitzpatrick
AFC Unity’s Football for Food campaign has taken a new exciting direction. For months now, players, managers and members of the public have been bringing along food donations to home games, which are then distributed to food banks across the city to help tackle food poverty.
But with Christmas fast approaching, AFC Unity is making even more of a push for food donations. With one in five Sheffield households suffering from food poverty, AFC is hoping to deliver a season of giving, as well as football.
Local TV station Sheffield Live came along to our home game on Sunday to interview us about our new season of giving.
Manager Jay Baker and player and director Charlotte Marshall featured on Sunday’s Sheffield Live news bulletin, discussing the importance of giving at this time of year…
[vimeo 145876875 w=500 h=281]
Alternative football club, donate food to tackle food poverty
I also featured on Sheffield Live stressing the vital role of food banks in Sheffield.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB6gN3TRAQ4&w=560&h=315]
AFC Unity recently visited the Parson Cross Initiative’s food bank to see how our collected donations are making a difference to the local community.
Community worker Nick Waterfield told us that donations of food are even more essential during the cold winter months where there are additional pressures for families to provide.
With as much as 50 kilos of food being donated at any one home game, we are keen to continue our efforts and make as much of a difference as possible.
Manager Jay Baker said: “The enthusiasm of our players in tackling food poverty in Sheffield, as well as putting their tackles in on the pitch has just been fantastic.”
I really like (and agree) what Charlotte women’s football is not being seen as serious as men’s football and this need to be changed!
& thanks for sharing this article, Finola. This really makes me want to be a part of AFC and can’t wait to meet you again. 😀