With the 2022/23 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season coming to an end, Western United has officially completed its second Goals to Fight Hunger campaign in partnership with Foodbank Victoria and Happsa Group.
Introduced in the Club’s Championship-winning season in 2021/22, the campaign sees donations made to Foodbank Victoria by Happsa Group for every goal scored by John Aloisi’s Western United side.
This year, the total was doubled to $400 – or 800 meals – donated per goal scored, helping Western United to eclipse the total from the previous season.
After United scored 34 goals across the season, a total of $13,600 was donated by Happsa Group with the cheque officially presented to Foodbank Victoria last Friday.
Western United General Manager of Commercial Chris Speldewinde said the continued success of this initiative meant only positive things for the community.
“We were eager to continue this initiative for another season after the success of the first year, and we are delighted that we have done so and have achieved another astonishing total,” he said.
“Foodbank Victoria continues to do some outstanding work to help people in need, particularly in communities throughout the West of Victoria.
“Alongside Foodbank, Happsa Group’s continued support remains pivotal in our efforts to make a difference in the community, and we are extremely thankful to everyone who has made this possible.”
Foodbank Victoria’s Chief Communications Officer, Matt Tilley, said the total will help the organisation kick its own goals.
“We have one goal – to feed those in need. Of course, one goal would have been a disaster for this particular campaign, so we are both honoured and incredibly grateful that Happsa Group and Western United came up with plenty more to help us put our arms around our community in the West and provide food for so many families doing it tough right now,” he said.
Adding onto the total from the first year’s campaign and from the Foodbank Round in February 2022, Western United and Happsa Group have contributed over $50,000 to Foodbank Victoria in the past 12 months.
That has resulted in more than 100,000 meals being put on the table for Victoria’s most vulnerable people, continuing the fight to end hunger.
In its 2022 Hunger Report, Foodbank Victoria found that 365,000 children were living in homes with severe food shortages, and the number of people struggling to afford food has jumped by 23%. Foodbank Victoria is currently feeding more than 114,000 people every two days.
Western United remains committed to supporting people in need and is looking forward to continuing to work with Foodbank Victoria and other partners to improve people’s lives in the West and throughout Victoria.
If you or someone you know is in need of food relief, visit the Foodbank Victoria website to find out more about their work and how you can find support.
Donations are also welcome via Foodbank Victoria’s website and can be made just once or monthly.
