'It's nice to know you are helping a little in these difficult times'
Liverpool FC staff volunteers have been working alongside the club’s community programme, Red Neighbours, and its official charity, LFC Foundation, to help local people throughout the city during the coronavirus pandemic.
As part of the ‘Unity is Strength’ project, staff from across the club have volunteered their time to help a range of initiatives, including the North Liverpool Foodbank, the club’s LFC Connect programme, and delivering treats and welfare packages to key workers and those in need.
Christine Saunders, food service assistant manager at LFC, wanted to give something back to the local community during these unprecedented times.
“I wanted to do something worthwhile during lockdown and help the community in some way, so when I heard about the volunteering scheme it seemed ideal,” said Christine.
“The foodbank is such a worthwhile cause and I know they have struggled since the lockdown began, so I decided to sign up to help out there.
“We typically help out with unloading the van, sorting the food and packing up the food boxes to go to local people in need.
“It’s nice to know you are helping a little in these difficult times, even if it’s only a small thing, and the foodbank staff have been so grateful for the help.
“On a personal level, it’s been great to meet people from different walks of life – at a safe, social distance of course – and it’s given me a bit of structure and a break in the day during these crazy times.
“The experience has been amazing. I would recommend volunteering to anyone looking to help out at the moment – it’s so rewarding.”
The LFC staff volunteers attend the foodbank in two-hour time slots from Monday to Friday and follow strict protection guidelines to ensure their safety and the safety of others, including social distancing, wearing personal protective equipment and regular hand washing/sanitising. The central foodbank hub, which has been turned into the city’s main food storage venue, was also sprayed with sanitiser by infection control specialists in advance of the volunteering beginning.
Alongside providing volunteers, the club is also supporting foodbanks across Liverpool and Merseyside through the LFC Emergency Foodbank Fundraising Appeal. One hundred per cent of the funds collected will go towards supporting the Trussell Trust’s foodbank networks in Liverpool and Merseyside.