After 20 weeks of accepting donations every Monday and Thursday during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pride Park food donation hub is set to change its opening hours following the 10am-2pm session on Thursday 27th August.
Since April, the hub has welcomed donations from the public, players and coaching staff at Derby County Football Club and local supermarkets.
Over August, its running was taken over by 87 teenagers as part of Derby County Community Trust’s NCS project who were keen to do their bit to support the local community.
Just over 130,000 items of food have been distributed across the city since the beginning of the pandemic in March. Donations made to the Pride Park food hub have supported this incredible figure to be achieved.
Along with donations to the city-wide effort, donations to the hub have also been directly delivered to families associated with the club and Community Trust who have been in need of support.
The hub will remain in operation, but its hours will change to reflect the return to schools and work for many, along with the new football season.
Drop off hours will now be 4pm-6pm before Derby County’s home matchdays. This means they will take place on Fridays for a Saturday fixture and on the day of midweek fixtures.
September’s opening hours are therefore 4pm-6pm on Friday 4th September, Friday 11th September and Friday 25th September.
Simon Carnall, Head of Community, said: “Since the first day we opened the food hub we’ve been amazed by the level of support and the number of donations from the public.
“Along with donations from the playing and coaching staff at Derby County we have been able to contribute a significant amount to the city’s relief effort.
“We are reducing the opening hours of the hub as more people are getting back to work and school but we’re still urging fans to keep the donations coming as time aren’t any easier for many people.”
The food hub will continue to operate from the marquee in the Pride Park car park at the advertised times throughout September.
