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A football club in East Belfast has relaunched its meal drive initiative that has already delivered thousands of meals to individuals and families in their local area. Glentoran Social Partnership's meal drive is one of the most impactful projects within the club’s award-winning community engagement programme. It provides freshly prepared meals, food hampers, and survival packs to vulnerable members of the community. The initiative will return this winter with an expanded programme, which will be supported by volunteers, partners, sponsors, and the wider Glentoran family. It will operate from the Bet McLean Oval, with hot meals distributed weekly to households, pensioners and homeless individuals through local charity networks and trusted partner organisations. The relaunch of the meal drive builds on the outstanding achievements of the Glentoran Social Partnership, which generates an estimated £2.9 million in social value every year, engaging more than 3,500 people across East Belfast and beyond through a diverse range of community programmes. The Glentoran Social Partnership was recently recognised at the 2025 NIFL Football Awards, winning Club Community Initiative of the Year for its outstanding work in promoting health, wellbeing, and inclusion across East Belfast and beyond. It also received the Community Impact Award at the 2024 EastSide Awards. Colin Jess, Chairman of Glentoran, said: “The Meal Drive has shown, time and time again, the power of football to make a meaningful difference. It is a shining example of what happens when people come together and when a football club is truly rooted in its community, willing to act when it matters most. “Community is at the heart of everything this football club stands for. Over the years, this initiative has provided thousands of hot meals and essential supplies to families , pensioners and individuals who simply needed a helping hand. But it is about more than just meals. It is about dignity, togetherness and hope. “Our Social Partnership has become a vital part of Glentoran’s identity and a lifeline for many across East Belfast. To keep growing and delivering, we will be sharing more information soon about how supporters and partners can make a donation to help us continue this important work. “Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a tangible difference, sustaining the Meal Drive throughout the winter and enabling us to expand other initiatives that support local families and strengthen our community.” For more information on the Glentoran Social Partnership visit www.glentoran.com or email: socialpartnership@glentoran.com . For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
