Letchworth Foodbank received a welcomed boost to its food supplies thanks to a donation from families and children of the club.

The initiative now in its third year came about when volunteer football coach, Ian Sparkes, who is also  Chief Operating Officer, Sodexo Agencies & Property Professional Services, shared an idea from his work colleagues, to take part in the company’s Reverse Advent Calendar campaign – rather than opening a window and receiving a gift leading up to Christmas, you donate an item each day leading up to Christmas Eve, to then donate to a local foodbank.

Over 300 kilos of food was donated, that’s equivalent to around 555 meals.

Letchworth Garden City Eagles FC Club Chairman, Simon Efford said: “This year families and their children from our club have really supported the campaign with donations continuing through January. It’s fantastic as a local community club with over 600 members when local businesses help us out with different aspects of running our club so we’re really pleased to be able to show our support for others within our community in return.”

Ian Sparkes, Sodexo said: “Thanks to everyone who took part in the initiative this year to support Letchworth Foodbank and the important work they do to help local people in crisis. Making a positive difference in local communities is often about conversations and collaboration and it’s great that I’m able to connect my work as a volunteer football coach with Sodexo’s Stop Hunger Foundation and charity partners.”

Letchworth Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust’s nationwide network of 1,300 food banks set up to provide emergency food and support to people facing hardship, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.  The Trussell Trust has been a partner of Sodexo’s Stop Hunger Foundation since 2017 and has received a three-year grant totalling £150,000 (£50,000 per year) to support the trust’s Help through Hardship helpline.