With the Club joining forces with Torbay Food Alliance this week, TUAFC Chaplain Jordan Williams has paid tribute to the combined efforts that have made Christmas a little more special for Bay residents this year.
The Food Alliance, run in conjunction with Torbay Council, worked tirelessly in the run-up to the festive period by co-ordinating donations from all across the Bay in order to provide the makings of a Christmas dinner, along with the usual groceries, for those residents who most needed it this year.
Torquay United AFC were also proud to play their own part, by including free match tickets to be included within the hampers sent out to the families, along with a number of other festive treats that are sure to bring smiles to faces all across the Bay during this festive period.
The local heroes delivering that seasonal cheer weren’t forgotten either, with the hardworking volunteers involved also being invited to attend our forthcoming game against Solihull Moors, as guests of the Club.
Jordan Williams, who combines his role at Riviera Life Church with his position as Club Chaplain at United, spoke of his pride at seeing the project come to fruition, with his Church playing a key role in its coordination.
“I’m one of the ministers at the Riviera Life Church in Torquay, where we run a food bank & baby bank. Every single week we help feed local families, and provide parcels of baby clothes, formula milk & baby food for people in the community by working with lots of agencies,” began Jordan.
“Last year we ran a Christmas Hamper Appeal, providing a full food week’s hamper, plus a full chicken, vegetables, potatoes and treats – just loads and loads of food. We helped 103 families last year through that, so we decided to do it again.
“We committed again to doing 100, and the referrals just kept coming in and in. We were overwhelmed really by the need that was out there, so we kind of extended it a little bit, and have done close to 200 Christmas hampers this year for families in need, right across our community – making sure they have got a full week’s worth of food, a full roast dinner for all the people in their household, loads of chocolate, treats, biscuits and snacks, just to make their Christmas really really special.
“Alongside that as well, with the incredible generosity of Torquay United, we were able to put in a voucher for one of the games in January for four people to go and enjoy the game for free. So, every single family – alongside all the amazing food and provisions we have been able to give them – have been provided with a free game for them as well, which has just been the icing on the cake for so many of our families!
“I just want to say a massive thanks to the Club, for the generosity in helping us help families across Torbay.”
With Christmas Day now just a few hours away, Torquay United AFC would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our supporters, as well as the entire Torbay community, a very happy and healthy Christmas, as well as a prosperous and safe New Year.
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