The Western Sydney Wanderers today announced that they will team up with Foodbank NSW & ACT for a Christmas food drive at the Sydney Derby on 15 December.
The Western Sydney Wanderers today announced that they will team up with Foodbank NSW & ACT for a Christmas food drive at the Sydney Derby on 15 December.
The initiative to support families in Western Sydney and other parts of NSW this Christmas will take effect at the Wanderers v Sydney FC match on 15 December at ANZ Stadium with attendees requested to bring along non-perishable foods as well as personal hygiene and simple household items for collection at the match.
Foodbank’s vision is to achieve an Australia without hunger.
Their program aims to achieve an Australia without hunger by working with the entire food and grocery industries to source nutritious, wholesome meals for vulnerable Australians in need.
Foodbank estimates the total volume of food and groceries required to meet the total food relief need across Australia is approximately 75 million kilograms. Currently, combined, Australian hunger relief organisations provide 50 million kilograms, which means there remains a 25 million kilogram gap.
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said teaming up with Foodbank was a natural fit for the club in its support of the Western Sydney community and those most in need.
“Our WanderCare program was created to support the needs and care for the people of Western Sydney through our actions and by creating partnerships to support important initiatives that exist in our region,” said Tsatsimas.
“Foodbank does incredible work and with the support of our members and fans our aim is to deliver greater awareness and support for this important issue.”
Foodbank NSW & ACT CEO Gerry Andersen OAM said the organisation was happy to partner with another business in Western Sydney.
“The relationship and the pairing with the Wanderers is a great opportunity for us, it’s two Western Sydney, sort of operations together but food at Christmas time is so so important for families that are doing it a bit tough,” said Andersen.
“The Wanderers and Foodbank food drive is a great initiative and we’re really happy to be part of it, and we just know that the people we’re serving and providing food to will be so appreciative, so we thank the Wanderers already.”
Foundation Wanderers member and Foodbank NSW & ACT Executive General Manager John Robertson said Christmas is an important time for the Red & Black to get food out to the people who need it the most.
“It’s fantastic, Foodbank does an amazing job in providing food to people who need it, especially at this time of the year, and to team up with my favourite Hyundai A-League club the Wanderers is a dream come true,” said Robertson.
“We’re so pleased to be working with the Wanderers in making sure we get more food to people for Christmas as everyone deserves to have food at Christmas time.
“With the help of the Wanderers members and fans, it means we can get more food out to people who need it the most.”
Wanderers players Remy Siemsen and Josh Risdon have come on board as Ambassadors for the cause and will be part of a group of Wanderers staff and players to help package, label and distribute hampers to those in need in the lead up to Christmas.
In partnership with Foodbank, the Wanderers will have collection areas at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 15 December at the Sydney Derby for members and fans to support the Christmas drive.
