Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic our partnership with the Gregg’s Foundation has been put on hold, but we are looking forward to working alongside them soon. Thanks to Gregg’s unsold food donations at our sessions, we are able to provide food for our participants in some of the most deprived communities in England.
Kat Clarke, Development Manager for Game On England stated last year: “Many of our football sessions are located in some of the most deprived areas in the country, and it’s not uncommon for families to struggle with the cost of stocking their kitchen cupboards. Thanks to the food Gregg’s provide, we can rest assured that after a tiring football session our participants aren’t going to go home hungry. It might not seem like a lot, but it’s a real treat for some of these kids they might never have gotten without our combined help.”
And a year later this could not be truer, with the issue intensifying due to issues caused as a result of COVID-19.
In 2020 to 2021 the UK saw a 33% increase in emergency food parcels being delivered to families in need from the Trussell Trust alone, not taking into account the tens of other dedicated organisations and charities doing the same. In the communities we serve across Yorkshire and the East Midlands, 256,616 emergency food parcels were distributed by the charity. 99,901 packages alone went to children in these two areas, with overall package usage increasing by over 40,000 from the previous year.
We are looking forward to being able to offer these donations at our sessions via our link with the Gregg’s Foundation when restrictions ease, making sure our participants aren’t leaving our sessions hungry. Since 2018, 394 young people have been treated to a Gregg’s unsold food donation after a football session and we intend to continue this as soon as possible.
To find out more about Game on England and our activity in the local communities click here and if you or someone you know is struggling with the current crisis and need support click here to find a foodbank near you.