Reactions to Mestalla food donation action

Part of the AMUNTWorld social committment campaign, the donation and distribution of non-perishable food and prepared meals amongst hundreds of Valencian families got underway on Tuesday at Mestalla -and the initiative is here to stay.

Set for regular events of between 2 and 3 days each fortnight at the stadium, Banco de Acción Solidaria will hand out foodstuffs provided by the Banco de Alimentos foodbank, including  meals cooked by the ‘Chefs for Spain’ project by chef José Andrés' World Central Kitchen charity.

"We are very grateful to Valencia CF. They have allowed us to come here and thanks to them we are not out on the streets. Thank you to Valencia CF. We are here for whatever you need, says Julio Pròsper, president of Banco de Acción Solidaria.

President of the Banco de Alimentos foodbank, Jaime Serra, also extended his thanks to the VCF family for their donations and help.

Xicu Costa, who is CaixaBank's regional director in the region, participated in a video call to express his pride in the banking entity's involvement in the project, whilst their Head of Social Action for Valencia, Encarna Alcaide, said that such participation "forms part of our DNA. Running a social action here gives us goosebumps. We are very happy to be able to help the people in need -the number of which has increased considerably due to COVID-19.”

Ricardo Arias, one of the club's ambassadors, summed up why Valencia CF are more than willing to play their part.

"It’s completely essential that we help those in need. Both Banco Solidario and the Banco de Alimentos do this, with the help of Valencia CF. Of course, we have to be at the forefront of all of these types of initiatives. We should be grateful for this because there are many people in need. You are seeing here the incredible amount of food that has been donated, with a lot of volunteers, satisfying the basic needs of the people who need it. It is very much required and necessary."