- More than two million meals are expected to be distributed in Canada, Mexico and the United States
- For every Leagues Cup match ticket sold,2 meals will be donated to individuals in need in North America
- Selected host stadiums will collaborate with local organizations to distribute unused food
Leagues Cup, the inaugural World Cup-style club tournament that brings together all Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX clubs, is proud to announce its impactful initiative to address food insecurity in the communities of all 47 participating clubs across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Under the theme United Against Hunger, MLS and LIGA MX will collaborate during the competition between July 21 and August 19 to provide meals and support to those in need.
Recognizing the pressing issue of food insecurity in our societies, Leagues Cup aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families who lack access to an affordable and nutritious diet. By leveraging the influence of soccer, Leagues Cup aims to create positive change and uplift communities where we live and play our games.
According to the USDA, more than 34 million Americans, including 9 million children, face food insecurity in the United States, struggling to obtain sufficient nourishment. Similarly, in Canada, 6.9 million people in the ten provinces, including almost 1.8 million children, lived in a food-insecure household in 2022, according to a study by University of Toronto researchers. In Mexico, approximately 30 million people, or 23.5% of the population, live in "food poverty," according to data collected by Mexico's National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (CONEVAL) in 2022.
Leagues Cup, MLS, and LIGA MX are committed to making a significant impact on reducing food insecurity. Throughout the tournament, for every match ticket sold, two meals will be donated to those in need in North America. Organizers will donate more than two million meals to the communities of all 47 participating clubs. Additionally, select stadiums hosting Leagues Cup matches will collaborate with local food organizations to distribute unused food following those events.
To ensure the effectiveness of our efforts, Leagues Cup has partnered with renowned community organizations dedicated to fighting hunger. In the United States, Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization, will work alongside tournament organizers. In Mexico, Bancos de Alimentos de México, a network of food banks, will contribute their expertise. In Canada, Leagues Cup’s partnership with Second Harvest will support efforts to alleviate food insecurity in the country.
As part of this initiative, Leagues Cup will hold public events in the region to promote its commitment beyond the game and address the pressing issue of food insecurity with the support of both LIGA MX and MLS.
