The Brick Community Stadium, Wigan Warriors, Wigan Athletic and the wider Wigan Sporting Events are delighted to announce a partnership with Kraft Heinz to pack and distribute 10,000 ‘Made In Wigan Food Packages’ to individuals and families across Wigan, surrounding areas and globally.
The initiative forms part of Kraft Heinz’s commitment to support the communities where it operates. As one of Wigan’s most established employers, Kraft Heinz has been part of the borough’s fabric since opening its Kitt Green factory in 1959, which remains one of the largest food manufacturing facilities in Europe.
Bringing together players, staff, volunteers and community organisations from across Wigan’s sporting landscape, the project will see thousands of essential food packages assembled and distributed to those who need them most. The collaboration reflects the shared values of community, teamwork and social responsibility that unite the town’s sporting institutions and local businesses.
The well-established connection with local Charity The Brick will be used to ensure food parcels are distributed to where they are most required.
Wigan Sporting Events Managing Director, Neil Russell said: “We are incredibly proud to be hosting and working alongside Kraft Heinz on such an important initiative.
“Wigan has always been a community that looks after its own, and this project demonstrates the power of partnership in making a real difference to people’s lives. By bringing together our sporting organisations, Kraft Heinz staff and local charity partners, such as The Brick, we can help ensure that support reaches families and individuals across Wigan and beyond.”
Kraft Heinz’s long-standing presence in Wigan has enabled generations of local people to build careers at its Kitt Green site, and the company continues to invest in programmes that create a positive impact within the community.
A Heinz spokesperson said: “There is something truly special about bringing our Kitt Green colleagues together in partnership with Wigan Warriors, Wigan Athletic, The Brick Community Stadium and Wigan Sport.
“As a business committed to proudly nourishing the nation and strengthening our communities, it was both humbling and inspiring to see so many people come together to make a positive impact. The day was a powerful reminder of what is possible when businesses, teams and communities align around a common purpose and goal.”
As part of the initiative, players and staff from Wigan Sports Group came together on Monday 22 June to help pack food packages which included tinned and dried products.
The collaborative volunteering effort saw Jack Farrimond and Noah Hodkinson from Wigan Warriors alongside James Knott and Elijah Igiehon from Wigan Athletic working side-by-side with Kraft Heinz employees and community partners, demonstrating a shared commitment to supporting local families and individuals throughout Wigan and beyond.
This initiative highlights the strength of collaboration between sport, business and community organisations, united by a shared ambition to support local people, breaking down inequality and strengthening communities.
