EFL Clubs Hit 1 Million Food Parcel Delivery Milestone

The EFL says a community scheme run by its clubs has delivered its one millionth food parcel, supporting local communities throughout the pandemic.  

The league says the delivery of the one millionth food parcel is ‘testament that football never went away’, despite restrictions first on matches themselves, and more recently on fans in attendance.

Nottingham Forest player, Ryan Yates (above), made the milestone delivery to a local resident. 

All 72 EFL clubs have provided community outreach schemes over the last 12 months. In addition to delivering one million food parcels, sandwiches and hot meals, lower league sides have also delivered over 179,000 items of PPE, as well as more than 22,000 prescriptions to vulnerable people.

The league has also highlighted its mental health support for local communities through its On Your Side initiative with its Charity Partner Mind. Over the past year, the EFL says its clubs have also held in excess of 526,000 conversations with fans and vulnerable people as they have provided outreach in the local communities.

EFL players and staff are among those who have donated food and everyday essentials which have been packed and distributed to families facing food poverty or unable to leave their homes while shielding. With fans absent from stadiums, vacant concourses have been used to store food donations while catering facilities re-opened to prepare hot meals and sandwiches.

According to the league, some 36.6million people live within a 10 mile radius of at least one of its clubs. 

“One year ago this week, stadiums around the country shut down, signalling the start of an unprecedented year for the game – but off the pitch football has never gone away,” said Rick Parry, Chair, EFL.

“Despite facing significant financial challenges in an uncertain economic landscape, all 72 EFL Clubs and Club Community Organisations stepped up to help frontline services without hesitation. 

“I congratulate each and every one of them for the resilience and determination they have demonstrated by continuing to deliver vital community work – this has provided a lifeline for so many during the challenges of the last 12 months.”

The milestone follows the EFL’s launch of a new programme run as part of the government’s Kickstart programme, which it says will provide some 500 job opportunities for young unemployed people at clubs and their community organisations.