MANCHESTER UNITED will provide a whopping 80,000 meals for struggling families over the Christmas period.
Red Devils hitman Marcus Rashford has been leading the fight against child food poverty this year, campaigning heavily for free schools meals to be retained during the coronavirus pandemic.
Man United hitman Marcus Rashford has been leading the fight against child food povertyCredit: PA
Rashford’s campaign – which saw him rewarded with an MBE – forced the Government into two embarrassing U-turns on their stance to stop free school meals.
And the Manchester United Foundation have followed in their striker’s suit by partnering up with food charity FareShare to provide 80,000 meals to families who are set to go without over the festive period.
The meals will be prepared by club chefs and will be delivered to kids and families from schools partnered with the foundation, food banks and other charities.
Additionally, United stars have donated £250,000 to the scheme.
A statement from United ambassador Denis Irwin read: “It’s an inspirational and incredible operation, one that is managed so well by FareShare GM – full credit to them.
“The amount of families and children in need, people who need the most basic things like food. It’s an eye opener.
“Manchester United is a huge football club, but we are committed to working in the community and the foundation does a tremendous job.
“It’s a great effort on behalf of Manchester United and FareShare GM that we’ve partnered up so we can deliver these 80,000 parcels to partner schools and charities around Christmas.
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“It can be a tough time for many people and unfortunately it’s only going to get tougher for some.”
In addition to his work campaigning against child food poverty, Rashford has also launched a book club in partnership MacMillan Children’s Books to help promote reading and literacy among kids from all social-economic backgrounds.
The England international announced the Marcus Rashford Book Club in an exclusive interview with The Sun, saying: “I only started reading books when I was 17 and it completely changed my outlook and mentality.
“It showed me different parts of myself that I didn’t know existed.
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“I think that if I’d read books when I was younger it would have made me grow up a lot quicker.
“I feel books can help children become what they want to become.
“Looking forwards, books will be a priority when I have children.”
Rashford and his Manchester United team-mates will be back in action on Thursday night, travelling to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United.
McDonald’s offers 1 MILLION free meals for families as Marcus Rashford calls for school kids to be fed
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
