Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore, Caritas Reggiana, U.S. Sassuolo Calcio and A.C. Reggiana 1919 join forces for a solidarity initiative between sport and social responsibility: FoodBall – È tempo di recupero.
The project involves the collection of all the food not consumed in the hospitality areas of the Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore during the home matches of U.S. Sassuolo Calcio and A.C. Reggiana 1919 during the 2025-2026 season. The recovered food will be donated to Caritas Reggiana, which will take care of the food collection, storage and distribution in the six canteens spread throughout the territory of Reggio Emilia. The project represents a concrete step towards reducing food waste and supporting people struggling in the Reggio area.
A social responsibility project
The FoodBall – È tempo di recupero project will make it possible to save, during the sports season, the equivalent of about 1,700 meals, significantly reducing waste and strengthening the city’s food support network. The widespread canteens of Caritas Reggiana represent an innovative model of food assistance born during the health emergency and consolidated as a tool for accompaniment and social inclusion. The canteens provide daily warm meals in welcoming environments to people living in conditions of discomfort, with particular attention to the homeless. In 2024, they provided over one hundred thousand meals, with an average of about one hundred and fifty guests per day.
“I would like to thank Mapei Stadium and Simona Giorgetta for this beautiful initiative of environmental sustainability and solidarity towards people – says Annalisa Rabitti, Councillor for People Care of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia. In our city, the administration and Caritas have been working side by side for years to combat food waste, to support families and people with difficulties: this project adds an important piece to the system. Once again, the sports world is capable of great sensitivity and sends an important message.”
“We are pleased to join the Foodball project, which combines solidarity, sustainability and community, transforming food waste into a precious resource for those who find themselves in a difficult moment – says Andrea Gollini, Director of Caritas of Reggio Emilia-Guastalla. At a time when food insecurity affects an increasing number of people, initiatives like this represent a concrete sign of attention to those who live in difficult situations. The fight against poverty is a collective responsibility, and as Caritas we identify ourselves in projects that involve different actors and promote bonds of solidarity and co-responsibility within the community”.
A bridge between sport and solidarity
“The initiative represents a concrete example of how sport can become a driving force of social projects – says Simona Giorgetta, sole administrator of the Mapei Stadium –. The involvement of U.S. Sassuolo Calcio and A.C. Reggiana 1919, who share the same sports facility, shows how collaboration between clubs can lead to important victories under the sign of solidarity.”
FoodBall – È tempo di recupero confirms once again that the Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore is a place of passion, participation and responsibility towards people, able to make a concrete contribution to the Reggio community.