May 08, 2024
Alcoa and Peel Thunder team up for Foodbank
Demand for food relief has hit an all-time high in Western Australia and Alcoa and West Australian Football League leaders Peel Thunder are throwing further support behind Foodbank Peel to make a difference.
A special charity football match will take place on Saturday, 25 May to raise additional funds for Foodbank Peel to continue providing food relief to people suffering hardship in the Peel region.
Hosted by WAFL leaders Peel Thunder, the charity event will be supported by Alcoa, which has vowed to match funds raised dollar for dollar.
Tanya Simmonds, Alcoa Australia Interim Vice President of Operations, said the company was proud to continue its support for Foodbank Peel and to work with partner Peel Thunder to highlight the growing cost of living pressures being faced by many people.
“We are very proud to sponsor the 2024 Peel Thunder Charity Game Day and to announce that we will be matching fan donations dollar for dollar,” Ms Simmonds said.
“Since we began working with Foodbank Peel in 2020, the demand for services has grown at a rapid rate.
“Through this exciting partnership with Peel Thunder and Foodbank Peel, we are aiming to shine a light on and address the growing issue of food insecurity in the region where we operate.”
The Foodbank Hunger Report 2023 highlights a staggering 388,000 WA households have faced food stress in the past 12 months, reducing quality or quantity of food including skipping meals, sometimes for whole days, to make ends meet.
The report also showed that 77 per cent of those facing food stress were doing so for the first time in their lives.
For every dollar donated, Foodbank can provide two meals to those doing it tough.
Peel Thunder has supported Foodbank for three years, helping to highlight the issue of food insecurity in Western Australia and calling on fans to donate.
Peel Thunder CEO Paul Lekias was excited about the upcoming Foodbank Round to extend the partnership into its third year.
“Our community connection is an extremely important component of our engagement strategy so to once again showcase and bring awareness to the work that Foodbank does in our community is something we are really proud of,” Mr Lekias said.
“We are calling on all those who can to provide even a small contribution, which will go a long way to helping those in our community that need it most.
“Our club thanks Foodbank for its support of this initiative, and we are thrilled to welcome Alcoa to the partnership in 2024 to enhance the contribution derived from our match day activation.
“Alcoa partners with Peel Thunder to support our women’s football program and to have them match donations is an amazing acknowledgement of the importance of this cause.”
Kate O’Hara, CEO of Foodbank WA, said the charity was grateful and excited to partner with Peel Thunder Football Club and Alcoa for support of the vital charity event for the Foodbank Peel branch.
“The importance of connecting with local community groups is vital to raise awareness of the significant local need for food relief, and the sharp increase in the demand for our services,” Ms O’Hara said.
“There’s no reason for anyone to go hungry, not in a state as prosperous as WA.
“We know people are skipping meals to feed their children and to keep a roof over their heads. Food spend is now seen as a discretionary spend. We are here to ensure that people don’t have to make that choice.”
Financial donations can be made at the charity match at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah on 25 May, or at any time online. Foodbank Peel volunteers will also be collecting food donations on game day. and the any time.