PORT ADELAIDE is teaming with Foodbank to encourage people to participate in its annual food drive heading into the festive season.
A long-term club partner of over ten years, Foodbank is seeking financial and food donations leading into Christmas to help those in need.
Foodbank is the largest food relief organisation in Australia rescuing food from stores and markets and using it to provide food relief to thousands of those who need it most.
In South Australia, 135,000 people rely on the service regularly to source meals.
Port Adelaide player Connor Rozee was on hand with club Chief Executive Matthew Richardson at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday to help launch the food drive.
He told portadelaidefc.com.au it was an important cause that the club supported wholeheartedly.
“The club has been involved with Foodbank for 10 or eleven years now so it’s a really important partnership,” Rozee explained.
“It’s great what they’re doing, they’re giving back to the community and raising awareness for people who go without food.
“I learnt before that 135,000 South Australians rely on what Foodbank does and I think a third of them are children so it’s really important. It’s great what they do.”
Rozee brought new recruits Jeremy Finlayson and Sam Skinner along to find out more about Foodbank’s work and despite the duo being on annual leave, they were more than happy to attend.
“Sam and Jeremy have been terrific since they’ve come in,” Rozee explained between helping pack away canned lentils being used to spell out the Foodbank logo on the hill under the iconic Adelaide Oval scoreboard.
“For them to come out and volunteer their time in their off-season, I know Jeremy has got a young kid as well so for him to come out and volunteer his time and learn about what Foodbank does and the long-term partner they’ve been of the club is terrific for them.
“I think they’ve learnt a bit today and the great cause Foodbank works for.”
It was an eye opener for Finlayson to hear about the number of people who relied on Foodbank each year.
“I think it’s easy to take it for granted when you can afford essentials like food for your family, but clearly there are a lot of people who are doing it tough and need a helping hand.
“Having a young daughter of my own it makes me realise how hard it would be to not be able to feed her so I hope people will give generously in the lead up to Christmas.”
Foodbank CEO Greg Pattinson said Port Adelaide and its members had always been generous towards its cause and encouraged people to donate what they could to help, either at eleven locations on December 3 or right up until December 17 at any one of its four warehouses or Food Hubs.
He said the most needed items were key staples like spreads, cereals, long-life milk, pasta, rice, tinned tuna and other non-perishables.
“Foodbank relies on the generosity of the South Australian public to be able to supply food to those in need so we have to keep doing food donation drives to help those people,” Mr Pattinson explained.
“While many of us are thinking of what presents we can buy our kids, there are many out there who are thinking ‘how am I even going to feed my kids’ so for those out there wondering how to help, when you do buy a present for your children, perhaps think about buying a meal for someone less fortunate in the community.
“(You can help) by donating money through our website or you can drop in food at any of our sites if you’ve got some groceries you don’t need, or you can even volunteer with us.
“The best thing you can do is spread the word to your community – your friends or family - about Foodbank and the work we do, how important it is that we get the help of the community.”
Rozee said while many people looked forward to the festive period, others dreaded it and it was easy to bring some joy to others leading in to Christmas.
“For those who have food and things they might have excess of, it’s an opportunity for people to give back,” he said.
“Even if it’s one can, is a massive help and hopefully will make some young kids or some adults a bit happier over that period.”
Financial donations can be made at the Foodbank website, otherwise food donations for the food drive can be made on Friday 3 December between 6:30am-9:30am at any of the sites listed below.
- Central Adelaide – Adelaide Railway Station
- Wayville – Adelaide Showgrounds, Goodwood Road
- Rose Park – Victoria Park (Fullarton Road slip lane)
- North Adelaide – 88 O’Connell Street (ex-Lecornu site)
- Modbury – Westfield Tea Tree Plaza
- Woodville – Foodbank, Port Road
- Kurralta Park – Kmart, Anzac Highway
- Edwardstown – Castle Plaza, South Road
- Marion – Westfield Marion
All food donations must be received at a Foodbank SA location by 17 December in order for the organisation to have time to distribute the food before Christmas.
