Rochdale AFC Community Trust have teamed up with the Manchester United Foundation and Student Leaders at Kingsway Park High School in Rochdale, to ensure no one goes hungry this winter.
The “Dale Food Pantry” operates from the award-winning One Stop Bus at the Crown Oil Arena, the home of Rochdale AFC, and provides local individuals and families with key cupboard staples for a suggested donation of £3 for 10 items.
Student Leaders at Kingsway Park High School heard about the initiative through their teacher, John Parry, and came up with a project whereby they could provide further support alongside their fellow students, and the wider community. Super Food Week was born!
The week kicked off on Saturday at Dale's game against Harrogate Town, where the students received some incredibly generous donations!
They will be based at the One Stop Bus again next Saturday, 10th December, at our game against Stockport County, collecting food donated by Rochdale AFC fans for 90 minutes prior to the match kicking off.
The school is now also a donation hub for staff, students and parents from 5th – 9th December.
John Parry (Teacher, Kingsway Park High School) said: “It is key that our students understand the importance of giving back to the community and how something simple as donating one item of food could help somebody in need.
“When I spoke to our student leaders about my work with Fans Supporting Foodbanks, they were keen to do something similar at Rochdale AFC, this is where ‘Super Food Week’ Stemmed from.
“I look forward to seeing our students completing this solidarity mission, both within school and in the community when they collect food at the Crown Oil Arena.”
Anisah Ahmed (Year 9 Student Leader, Kingsway Park High School) commented: “The idea of Super Food Week is important as it provides a wide range of resources to families who have been affected during our ongoing crisis.
“Resources such as food are very important as winter hits in the UK. This is an amazing opportunity for us a student leaders to be involved in a community project with Rochdale AFC.”
We urge any Rochdale AFC fans in a position to do so, to support the initiative by dropping off an item at either of the matchday collections. Suggested items include milk (UHT), tinned fish/meat, tinned fruit or veg, tea/coffee, cereal, snack bars, pasta sauce, soup, pasta, rice, or toiletries.
On behalf of everyone at Rochdale AFC and Rochdale AFC Community Trust, thank you Kingsway Park High School!
