Ottawa jersey sales feed 1,700 low-income residents in first 24 hours of new initiative

A newly launched Canadian Premier League (CPL) primary jersey sale campaign will go to feeding low-income residents in the nation’s capital.

The campaign officially launched on Monday.

For each sale of Atlético Ottawa’s “Community First Kit” jerseys, Maple Lodge Farms (MLF) is donating a case of chicken products to their community food centre partners.

Each jersey is $119, according to the Shop Atlético website and so far, MLF have donated 1,710 meals to the Caldwell Family Centre (CFC).

“I feel so much pride in being part of a partnership to address the food insecurity crisis in Ottawa,” said Eugene Williams, the executive director of Caldwell Family Centre. “We are very excited to be part of this initiative with Maple Lodge Farms as we are going to be able to help hundreds, if not thousands of families who are currently experiencing food insecurity in Ottawa.”

In 2023, CFC prepared over 83,000 meals through its various programs and saw over 100 people per day use their food bank. Eighty-five per cent of people used the programs as their primary source of meals, according to the CFC.

“When I come to TD Place this season — and I see the players and the fans wearing this jersey — it will make me feel so grateful for the support of a community-focused club like Atlético Ottawa who aren’t just talking about tackling food insecurity,” said Williams.

CFC offers a Food Bank and a daily meal program which provides food and meals for thousands of people living in poverty. They also offer family support services, a drop-in centre and a computer café.

You can find more information about Caldwell Family Centre, or donate to them, on their website.