Continuing an initiative set up this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Valencia CF opened the doors to Mestalla once again this Tuesday for their latest collaboration with the Banco de Acción Solidaria charity. The agreement between the two parties, extended over the summer, uses the stadium as a food distribution centre for those families most in need in Valencia.

More than 140,000 kilos of food, provided by the Banco de Alimentos foodbank, have been handed out since May, aiding over 7,000 people. Helping with the distribution are members of the CaixaBank volunteer programme.

“People are very happy because we arrive here with all kinds of food; nothing is missing. This is only the beginning. The pandemic is hitting Valencia and all of Spain hard again. We are in contact with chef José Andrés, who we had the honour of hosting here, and food would have been given to everyone in Valencia here at Mestalla if needed. I want to take this opportunity to tell people that we are here, and that if they need food then they will always be attended to,” says Jaime Serra, president of the Banco de Alimentos.

The initial idea is to set aside five days per month at Mestalla for the initiative, through to the end of 2020. A plan is also in place for a one-off event in December.

“We have renewed the agreement through to December, and we will even have a special night here on December 22nd for the least well-off in Valencia. They will convene here, we will celebrate Christmas and we will give away toys and tents for those without homes,” says Serra.