Every home ground goal delivers 100 meals to support local community.
Three of the Central Coast’s most loved organisations have joined forces to support local people in need.
The Central Coast Mariners, much-loved Australian brand MasterFoods and leading local charity Coast Shelter have created MasterFoods Meals for Goals – an initiative that will see 100 meals donated for every home goal scored by the Central Coast Mariners during the 23/24 Isuzu UTE A-League and Liberty A-League season.
For every goal the Mariners Men’s or Women’s team score at home, MasterFoods will donate $800 to fund the equivalent of 100 meals through charity Coast Shelter – up to a total value of $40,000 over the season. It could see up to 5,000 meals donated over the season if the Mariners are in good form.
Speaking at the launch of the community first initiative, Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp said:
“We are thrilled to be launching MasterFoods Meals for Goals. It is an initiative that enables us to give back to our loyal Coast community – the very community that has been the heart and soul of our journey as a football club,” Mr Mielekamp said.
“As our Community Programs partner, MasterFoods supports the delivery of all our community programs, including nurturing talent, empowering the next generation of football stars and fostering an equal playing environment for all.”
“MasterFoods has demonstrated remarkable loyalty, and we are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding partnership,” he said.
Rachel Humphrey, Marketing Director Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, said that as a Central Coast business it is committed to contributing to the local community.
“As a purpose-led business based on the Central Coast we understand the importance of community and supporting people in need,” Ms Humphrey said.
“Our best loved brands like MasterFoods, have been helping Australians to make meals for over 75 years. However, sadly there are an increasing number of Australians, including in our own Central Coast, who are struggling to put food on the table.”
“That’s why we are proud to be joining forces with the Central Coast Mariners and Coast Shelter to provide healthy meals for people who need them the most. After all, what we do today creates a better tomorrow,” she said.
According to Rachael Glasson, Acting Operations Manager at Coast Shelter, cost of living pressures are impacting the Central Coast and they are seeing increased demand for their meal services.
“We have seen a 30{beff4755ff40470e75b8b9c8932397ca08bfcfe23430f474bc1fcde4ea7b4621} increase in people presenting at the Community Centre for our lunch and dinner services since January this year. This number is usually stable, so an increase of that much is clearly directly related to the rising cost of living across the board,” Ms Glasson said.
“Our Community Centres are wholly funded by local businesses and donations from the community, so this initiative from MasterFoods and the Central Coast Mariners will have a huge impact on our ability to service locals at both our Gosford and Wyong Community Centres. We are just so grateful for the support.”
To cheer on the Central Coast Mariners and help them score those MasterFoods Meals for Goals visit Ticketek here.