Club captain pays a special visit to a local food bank to deliver free match tickets and Easter eggs to patrons
Captain Darren Pratley and Community Ambassador Tony Kelly recently visited a community food project in Johnson Fold to deliver Easter eggs bought by the players and give residents free tickets for the club's upcoming match against Chesterfield.
The Storehouse Pantry, located downstairs at The Hope Centre at St Andrew’s Church on Tattersall Avenue, provides a wide choice of fresh and tinned foods to help local residents who may not be entitled to food bank vouchers.
It opens Thursdays (1.30pm-3.30pm), and people can choose up to 15 items on each visit for a £2.50 weekly membership fee that contributes to the running of the project.
The pantry was developed through a partnership between Bolton at Home, Urban Outreach and St Peter’s Parish in Halliwell, and is run by church volunteers and Bolton at Home staff.
The stock is donated from Urban Outreach’s ‘grub tubs’; Fare Share, which distributes surplus food destined for waste; and also comes from supermarkets, bakeries and even local residents growing their own produce.
Pratley himself praised the initiative, saying, “The pantry is a great idea. It’s good to see those who need extra support getting the help they need and it’s right on their doorstep.
"It's so important for us to get out into the community too and see the town that we represent and hopefully the donations we have made in Easter eggs and tickets will put a few smiles on faces."
Overall, Bolton Wanderers will donate 1,500 tickets for their Sky Bet League One match against Chesterfield on Saturday 1 April to Bolton at Home customers engaged in neighbourhood services and active in their communities.
The club and the Community Trust have made the game their annual community match fixture, recognising their partnership with Bolton at Home.
The community match has become a regular initiative from the partnership, which has encouraged thousands of young people to get involved in sport, education and volunteering opportunities.