Project 35 takeover at Sunderland fixture
Argyle’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Sunderland on Saturday, 14 September has been selected as the first dedicated Project 35 fixture of the 2024/25 season.
Previous campaigns have been met with incredible compassion and support from the Green Army and local community. Across four dedicated Project 35 fixtures, the first being the Greens’ Sky Bet League One match against Shrewsbury Town back in October 2022, a staggering 6.9 tonnes of produce and £2,655 has been donated as we continue the fight against food poverty in Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall.
At our home game against the Black Cats, we encourage supporters and members of the community to bring items of in-date, non-perishable food to Home Park. The ambitious aim will be to surpass our recording-breaking totals achieved in previous seasons.
We will be collecting items before the game from the Babcock Devonport End, where our food van and Project 35 gazebo will be located from 12pm until kick-off. Pledge 35 volunteers, Ginsters staff, and Trust staff will be on hand to support collections and chat more about the wider aims of the project.
Donations will be delivered to the Project 35 Food Larder, located at Manadon Sports and Community Hub, to support those in need, in a period where food demand is far outweighing supply. Over 27,000 food items have already been shared with those facing food insecurity from over 2,000 visits.
The Community Larder runs every week and is currently supporting 80 local people in need with food and supplies provided through our charity network. To find out more, or to sign-up, please email trevor.higgins@pafc.co.uk.
Project 35, in partnership with Ginsters, has had a profound impact since its inception in 2022. As well as the huge success of the fan appeals, and winning Best Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme at the Football Business Awards, the project has delivered:
- Over 27,000 Ginsters products to those living in temporary accommodation
- Over 21,000 food items to children on holiday hunger programmes
- Over 7,000 volunteering hours from ‘Pledge 35’ volunteers
- Over 800 hours of community volunteering from Ginsters staff
- Education programmes and social action projects around food poverty to 600 primary school pupils
- Enrichment days for 50 students who were at risk of exclusion
- Adult education sessions, and food workshops for young people
- Vital poverty awareness raised
Trust Community Programmes Manager Alice Young said: “We have been overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of the fans and community following the previous appeals and we can’t wait to do it again on Saturday.
“Project 35 wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of partners Ginsters and the incredible hours from their staff and our Pledge 35 volunteers.
“We are hopeful that we can surpass previous records at a time when many people are facing food insecurity and demand is continuing to outweigh supply.
“The team look forward to seeing you all at Home Park.”
There was a special visit from Bastille drummer, and Argyle fan, Chris ‘Woody’ Wood at the last fan appeal in April. Speaking about the project, Chris said: “Our community should never need Project 35, but we're so lucky to have them, and we should be proud of those who dedicate their time to uplifting their community. Please lend any time, food, or funds that you can spare. I can say from my own experience that it makes a real difference.”
For more information on Project 35, in partnership with Ginsters, including how to sign up to take the Pledge 35 challenge, click here.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.
