Sheedy kicks goal to deliver 50,000 meals to Foodbank

22 October 2018

 
Kevin Sheedy has kicked the ultimate goal.

Today, the Essendon Legend lined up a shot between goal posts made of food hampers to help deliver a donation of 50,000 meals to Foodbank Victoria.

The final goal was part of the EnergyAustralia and Essendon Football Club ‘Goals to End Hunger’ campaign, supporting Foodbank.

Throughout the 2018 AFL season, EnergyAustralia pledged 200 meals for every Bombers’ goal kicked at home games. With 142 goals kicked over 11 home games, 28,400 meals were pledged. Bombers’ forwards Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti helped deliver more than 3000 meals each through their accurate kicking.

Sheedy visited Foodbank’s Yarraville food distribution centre to kick the final goal – which saw EnergyAustralia increase the number of meals donated to 50,000.

EnergyAustralia’s Community and Sponsorship Leader, Jenny Odgers, said: “The work of Foodbank Victoria is crucial and we were thrilled to partner with the Essendon Football Club on the Goals to End Hunger campaign. They delivered 28,400 meals to people in need and showed real determination in 2018. We wanted to contribute a few more goals to support Foodbank’s great work so we rounded up our donation to 50,000 meals.”

Sheedy, on behalf of the Essendon Football Club, said it was great to see Bombers’ fans supporting the message of the campaign.
“Everyone deserves access to food. Sadly one in five Australians, including children, don’t have access. That’s a huge number of people going hungry each year,” Sheedy said.

“Our fans have really got behind this cause and we look forward to seeing where the partnership goes in 2019.”

Foodbank Victoria CEO Dave McNamara – a huge Bombers’ fan – said the campaign was helping to deliver more than just meals.

“We’re really grateful to EnergyAustralia and the Essendon Football Club for not only delivering a huge number of extra meals, but for also providing a platform to engage hundreds of thousands of footy fans across the AFL season. Food insecurity is a hidden crisis that needs greater awareness if we’re going to be able to solve it,” he said.

The 2018 Foodbank Hunger Report, released last week, found that 1 in 5 Australians had gone hungry in the past 12 months. It was revealed people living in regional and remote areas were 33 per cent more likely to experience food insecurity.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Kimberley Nichols, Foodbank Victoria: 03 9362 8309
Alexa Viani, Foodbank Victoria: 03 9362 8333