Project 35 Takeover Total Revealed

The Easter weekend once again demonstrated the incredible support and generosity of the Green Army and our Devon and Cornwall communities as we came together for Project 35 and our fight against poverty.

In the days leading up to the Green’s Sky Bet League One fixture against Lincoln City at Home Park for our Project 35 takeover fixture, we put out the call for supporters to donate to our ground-breaking social impact project, in partnership with Ginsters. Yet again you answered the call and went further than anyone at Argyle, Project 35 partners Ginsters, or the Plymouth Foodbank Network could have hoped.

An incredible 1.3 tonnes of produce were donated at our designated collection point at the Babcock Devonport End in the hours leading up to kick-off, equating to approximately 1,500 meals for local families in need. Even more impressive was the £1,055.07 raised from collection tins around the ground, and through a special Easter Egg Hunt run by Argyle Community Trust at their hub in Central Park.

The takeover fixture perfectly demonstrated the diversity and strength of support for the project. A total of 28 amazing volunteers helped facilitate the collections, including staff from Project 35 partners Ginsters, Pledge 35 volunteers, young people on Prince’s Trust courses, and Club and Trust staff.

Shortly after kick-off, the packed food vans delivered the donations to a warehouse ready to be distributed across the Plymouth Foodbank Network, and Argyle’s community larder at Manadon Sports Hub.

The donations have come at a time when foodbanks across the country are experiencing a steep increase in demand, in part due to the challenges facing families caused by the cost-of-living crisis, and as a result of a decrease in donations. Charities in the network rely completely on the kindness and generosity of community donations.

Dan Hart, Head of Community Engagement at Argyle Community Trust, said: “To follow up the last fan appeal with another hugely successful appeal is a testament to the incredible people in our communities and the community spirit we possess.

“These are extremely difficult times for many people, and we want to thank everyone so much for answering the call and helping those in need.”

Across both takeover fixtures this season, our community has donated a staggering 4 tonnes of produce for foodbanks across the city, creating 4,500 meals for families in need.

Ben Causon, Head of Commercial at Ginsters, added: “We continue to be hugely proud of the support within the local community for Project 35. It was really humbling to be part of the takeover game with our team and see the generosity in action. Helping local families in need to have a proper meal, especially at this challenging time, means so much to us at Ginsters.”

"Project 35 activities are not just limited to food support, and activities throughout Devon and Cornwall are taking place during the Easter half term, including Holiday Activity and Food programmes which are providing children in receipt of free school meals with vital food education, and a Ginsters hamper to take home to feed their family at the weekend.

For more information on Project 35, visit our dedicated landing page.

To sign up for Pledge 35, click here.