The Hibernian Community Foundation, once again, made a difference this festive period by serving over 500 Christmas lunches to people in the local community.
330 people were invited to the hospitality suites in the West Stand at Easter Road for a festive lunch, whilst around 200 meals were sent out to those that weren’t able to come down to our home stadium.
The Christmas lunch was generously supported by the Ellen & Ian Graham Charitable Foundation, alongside a number of other partners, community groups, and charities, including the SPFL Trust, Dnipro Kids, the Hibernian Match Programme, the Hibernian Supporters' Association, abrdn, Utilita Giving, Morrisons Portobello Road, the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation, and the Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain.
All the support made it possible for families, elderly people, and people who may not have been able celebrate the festivities to come down to get a hearty, festive meal.
On the day, the fantastic volunteers from the Hibernian Community Foundation were joined by Executive Director Ian Gordon, Head Coach David Gray, and First Team players Joe Newell, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, and Mykola Kuharevich, who all gave up time on their Christmas Day to meet those who came for lunch and to help with the food service.
The Hibernian Community Foundation was overwhelmed by the number of volunteers and supporters that wanted to show their give up their Christmas Day to help, and we thank everyone who in touch and involved.
Steven Smith, Hibernian Community Foundation Board Chair, commented: “Today is really the culmination of the foundation’s work over the course of the year, giving back to those in our community who need it most.
“We do this multiple times a week, but to open up the stadium on Christmas Day to feed 500 people shows how dedicated we are to supporting the community.
“I’d like to thank all the supporters that came down and volunteered their time.”
Hibernian FC Captain Joe Newell added: “I have really enjoyed the work I’ve been doing with the Hibernian Community Foundation because it’s so important that we give back to the local community.
“It was great to come down here, help out and spread some Christmas cheer with the rest of the volunteers. It’s so great to see so many people committed to the foundation, willing to give up their time on Christmas Day.”
The festive period is the biggest fundraising time of the year for the Hibernian Community Foundation, with the annual Christmas Appeal raising funds for food provision across 2025.
This year the Community Foundation raised over £80,000 through the silent auction, with more money coming through separate donations.
Throughout the year, the Hibernian Community Foundation runs three community meal days a week, and has ambitions to grow this to five.
