AGL committed to donating $20,000 upfront to support Metres for Meals and Foodbank WA in 2020. Learn more about how we supported this cause throughout the 2019 season.
Gaff’s gift helps feed Western Australians in need
AGL has joined forces with Foodbank WA – one of the West Coast Eagles' charitable partners – to help tackle hunger in WA.
AFL fans know full-well that footy players often run a mini-marathon each and every game.
Down at the West Coast Eagles, star midfielder Andrew Gaff is no exception. Affectionately known as a ‘running machine’, Gaff covers more ground than any other Eagles player.
“AGL Metres for Meals Kilometre Tracker” -2019 season total: 148km
So, AGL is supporting Foodbank WA for a second year running (pardon the pun!) to harness Gaff’s stamina and help tackle hunger in Western Australia.
“The first year of the campaign was such a success that we are delighted to join forces with the reigning Australian Football League premiers and Western Australia’s leading hunger-relief charity for a second successive season,” Jackie Shervington, AGL WA State Manager said.
“This year AGL will donate 300 meals for every kilometre run at each home game by Gaff, who covers an average of 15 kilometres each game."
Celebrating its 25-year anniversary, Foodbank WA feeds over 94,000 people monthly. The charity’s national CEO, Greg Hebble, is delighted by the AGL Metres for Meals initiative.
“We are very grateful for the continued support that we receive from the West Coast Eagles, its members and players, and we are thrilled to be working with the club’s Premier Partner AGL to provide additional food to families in need throughout the state,” he said
“This really will make a positive impact on those who have nowhere else to turn for a meal.”
This year, Eagles fans were also encouraged to ‘Carry A Coin’ during round 21’s home game to help raise funds for Foodbank WA.
Foodbank WA set a target of $12,500, equating to 25,000 meals in honour of their 25th birthday. This target was smashed, with funds from Eagles fans totalling $18,501.20. Plus, AGL also committed to dollar match whatever was raised at the game.
With more than three and a half million Australians who experienced food insecurity last year alone (over a quarter of them being children), Foodbank WA will purchase everyday food essentials such as rice, pasta, canned soup, vegetables, beans and pasta sauce that are in demand, yet very rarely donated. Ms Shervington said the decision to continue supporting Foodbank WA was an easy one for AGL to make.
“Last year we donated more than 57,000 meals to Foodbank WA as a result of the AGL Metres for Meals campaign and funds raised in an AGL staff raffle.
“A key factor in our decision to extend the AGL Metres for Meals campaign was our recognition of the growing demand for the services of Foodbank WA which has been providing meals to people who are struggling to feed themselves and their children for 25 years this year.”
Learn more about our partnership with the West Coast Eagles.
