The Ospreys are calling on the local community to help make sure no one goes hungry in Ospreylia this festive season.
Supporters attending the highly anticipated Ospreys V Scarlets derby match at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 27th December are being asked to bring along with them an item of non perishable – dried or tinned - food to donate to Eastside Food Bank, to support some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
Collections will be taken for an hour before the match, positioned at the entrances to the stadium. Suggested items to donate could include dried milk, instant mash, soups, rice and pasta meals, jam, marmalade, tea, instant coffee, instant hot chocolate, savoury biscuits and crackers.
Eastside Food Bank is based in the Bonymaen area of Swansea and provides emergency food to people in crisis, including homeless people but also families on low income, those who are self-employed or have recently been made redundant.
Collecting non-perishable goods in advance will allow Eastside Food Bank to prepare for their toughest and most demanding month of the year.
Reverend Chris Lewis of Eastside Food Banks comments:
“Following Christmas our food supply will be low and during January unexpected bills arrive which can leave people facing crisis, often having to turn to a food bank. This is why it is crucial that we have a supply of food ready and waiting, so we are able to support them. We are absolutely thrilled that the Ospreys and their fans are supporting our cause during this time and would like to extend a huge thank you not only from ourselves but also on behalf of the hundreds of people that will benefit from this generosity over the next month.”
Eastside Food Bank is a local grassroots initiative, not associated with any larger national charity. It is run by volunteers, who give their time to collect donations and support others in the community. Many volunteers are previous service users who have benefited themselves from the vital lifeline that Eastside Food Bank provides.
Chief Executive of Ospreys Rugby, Andrew Hore, said:
“It’s deeply concerning that in this day and age, so many people are facing hunger in our local community. The Ospreys are passionate about supporting worthwhile community initiatives and we sincerely hope our supporters will get behind us, not only on the pitch this Saturday but in supporting this worthy cause. Eastside Food Bank is providing a vital response to a growing need and we are delighted to be able to help in any way we can.”
There are still tickets available for the upcoming Ospreys V Scarlets match. To purchase yours now visit www.ospreysrugby.com/buytickets and choose the print at home option to beat the matchday queues.