Man United And Fareshare To Distribute 80,000 Meals
Manchester United and FareShare Greater Manchester are joining forces to provide 80,000 meals to families from local communities as part of the Manchester United Foundation’s Santa’s Red Helpers Christmas appeal.
According to the pair, FareShare GM has so far donated 33 tonnes of food to the campaign, which will then be turned into 80,000 meals by club chefs and delivered to families at Manchester United Foundation partner schools, food banks and other external charities over the Christmas period.
Once received at the stadium, the food will be prepared, packaged and distributed by Manchester United chefs and staff.
Collette Roche, Chief Operating Officer, Manchester United, said: “2020 has been a really challenging year for so many across the country. The issue of food poverty has been significant, worsened by the COVID-19 crisis and aggravated further during the holidays when many children cannot get access to free school meals.
“Many have rallied to this particular cause and we are proud to be able to play our part. We’ve scaled up our partnership with the Foundation and with FareShare GM, bringing our resources together, to produce 80,000 meals over the festive period. We thank all the fans and staff who have contributed to this important project.”
Miranda Kaunang, Head of Development, FareShare GM, added: “We feel that this is what we’ve got to do; this is our mission. We’ve been working here for over ten years on food poverty issues, but this year in particular we are very proud to step up to the challenge of lockdown and everything that has happened since.
“It’s really important that we’re working with the Foundation because of the relationships they have with local schools. When the meals reach the families and the boxes are opened with all the extra goodies those families and those kids will feel like somebody out there really cares about them and wants them to have a great Christmas despite everything that has happened this year.”
Along with financial support from Manchester United players and staff – including a £250,000 commitment from the players – the Santa’s Red Helpers appeal encourages fans to donate where possible to provide Christmas presents and food parcels for those who may otherwise go without.
