MORE than 188,000 meals will be put on the tables of those most in need in South Australia thanks to the generosity of the Port Adelaide family.

Ahead of the weekend’s game against Geelong, a call was put out for those attending to donate food or funds at the Adelaide Oval gates to help the club’s long-standing charity partner Foodbank SA in its mission to end hunger.

Club major partner MG Motor got behind the drive, also accepting donations at its seven dealerships across the state including in Port Augusta and Mount Gambier.

Dealers also chipped in with a $10,000 cash donation before the game, but that figure was upped to $89,000 after a meeting of all MG Motor dealers from across Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide on Friday.

That figure is enough to cover nine days of food relief for the 135,000 South Australians who rely on Foodbank each month.

MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao was at Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening to see to see MG Australia and New Zealand’s Director of Sales and Network Giles Belcher present the cheque to Foodbank SA.

Mr Ciao says MG Motor Australia is a proud supporter of both the Port Adelaide Football Club and Foodbank and it is important to raise valuable funds that provide meals for those in need across Australia.

“We’ve long admired the work of Foodbank in providing food and groceries to people in the community who are doing it tough,” said Mr Ciao.

“This year, we’ve been very pleased by the generosity of our dealerships and customers, who have rallied together to help raise this significant contribution. As always, we’re very proud to partner with the Port Adelaide Football Club and Foodbank and recognise their ongoing work in providing and delivering food and meals to people in need, especially at a time when costs of living are on the rise.”

Port Adelaide supporters on Saturday contributed 305 kilograms of food and donated nearly $3,000 in cash, which equates to around 6,200 meals.

Foodbank SA and Central Australia CEO Greg Pattinson thanked the club’s members and the MG dealers for their generosity at a time when need has increased.

“All of the staff and volunteers at Foodbank SA have been overwhelmed with the support of the Port Adelaide Football Club and MG Motor for Round 19,” Mr Pattinson said. “The total contribution from Port Adelaide, MG Motor and the members and supporters at the game will help us to provide enough food for more than 188,121 meals across South Australia. 

“Winter is particularly tough for people in need and right now the rising cost of living is putting additional pressure on already struggling families. It is therefore heart-warming to see that people still care in our community and want to help others.

“For those looking to make a difference, you can still head into an MG dealer and donate food or funds. No-one in South Australia should experience food insecurity - together we have the power to end hunger in this state.”

Non-perishable food items and cash can still be donated at all MG dealerships across the state until the end of the month, with the local communities to directly benefit.

The most sought-after foods for donation include canned vegetables and fruit, cereals, tinned meals, long-life milk, pasta sauce, spreads, rice and tuna.

MG dealerships where you can donate food items or funds across South Australia

Hamilton MG – Morphett Vale
157 Main South Road, Morphett Vale, SA 5162

Hamilton MG – Somerton Park
272-288 Brighton Road, Somerton Park, SA 5044

Mt Gambier MG
116-138 Commercial Street East, Mount Gambier, SA 5290

Newspot MG – Adelaide
61-69 West Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000

Newspot MG – Salisbury Park
1928 Main North Road, Salisbury Park, SA 5109

Newspot MG Main – Hampstead Gardens
247 North East Road, Hampstead Gardens, SA 5086

Port Augusta MG
4 National Highway 1, Port Augusta, SA 5700