On Sunday, April 28th, Urawa Reds invited 145 children and their parents to a match through the Saitama Prefecture Children's Cafeteria Network, a general incorporated association, again this season.



Children's cafeterias are an activity that provides meals and creates opportunities for large groups to eat together, connecting people with diverse needs in the community through food, in response to the current situation where an increasing number of children are unable to get enough to eat or are forced to eat alone due to parental poverty or dual-income households.

They are run by NPOs, volunteer groups, restaurants, temples, churches, individuals, etc., and housewives and students participate as volunteers. Many children's cafeterias not only provide meals, but also offer a variety of educational exchange programs such as picture book readings, study support, music, and games.

The Saitama Children's Cafeteria Network was established by people who run and care about children's cafeterias, with the aim of exchanging information and collaborating with schools, local communities, government, and companies, in a situation where, as the number of children's cafeterias in the prefecture increases, each one has their own problems and is unable to find people to talk to.

Urawa Reds' relationship with the Children's Cafeteria Network began in 2020.
When games were postponed due to the new coronavirus, a large amount of food ingredients and food purchased by stadium food and beverage stores was left in limbo. In order to avoid large amounts of food waste, with the cooperation of Saitama Prefecture, the stadium food and beverage stores acted as a go-between to donate ingredients and food to children's cafeterias through the Saitama Prefecture Children's Cafeteria Network.

As a result of this connection, on October 8, 2022 (against Sagan Tosu), in conjunction with the "Bread Festival" held at Saitama Stadium at the time, children who use the children's cafeteria were invited to watch the game while being provided with bread for their meals. This initiative was carried out again in 2023, making it the third time this season.



After the participants had gathered at the South View Restaurant in the back stand, Vice President Shimizu Minoru gave a speech on behalf of Urawa Reds, saying, "One of Urawa Reds' activities is to give back to the community through soccer. We would be grateful if you could all enjoy it in this way. We hope you will give us your energy today."

After taking commemorative photos with Redia, participants received mugs and bread made from plastic bottles collected at Saitama Stadium, and then moved to the stands to watch and cheer on the team.



Among the participants in the upper seats of the back stand, some children were holding Reds scarves and flags, and when the Reds cheering began, some children moved their bodies and clapped along. Meanwhile, some children seemed to be watching soccer at the stadium for the first time.

Both teams scored points on the day, creating an exciting, thrilling and tense atmosphere for everyone, and the Reds won against Nagoya Grampus 2-1, sending the many fans who had come to Saitama Stadium home with smiles on their faces.



This time, in addition to providing bread to the participating children's cafeteria users, they were also given the opportunity to watch a soccer game, an experience unique to Saitama Stadium, where the entire stadium was cheered on by Reds supporters and fans, supporters, and players came together to sing "We are Diamonds."

As a professional sports club with deep roots in the local community, Urawa Reds will continue to actively participate in social contribution activities and SDGs activities. As part of this, as stated in the club's philosophy, we want to convey the excitement and joy of sports, including soccer.



[Representative initiatives that Urawa Reds have undertaken in collaboration with the Children's Cafeteria Network]
-In 2020, we implemented an initiative to deliver Yamazaki Biscuit Company (YBC) sweets to children's cafeterias.
・In 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reds launched the action program "Kono Yubi TomaREDS!", which works with supporters and advocates to solve local issues. Through the Saitama City Children's Cafeteria Network, the program invites approximately 150 children's cafeteria users to Saitama Stadium once a year to watch a game and experience Heart-full Soccer called "Heartful Care."
https://www.urawa-reds.co.jp/club/konoyubi/heartfullcare.php

In the winter, the Reds will hold an event called "REDS Santa," in which Reds' partner companies and Reds Business Club (RBC) companies will provide presents, delivering 1,200 Christmas presents to children's cafeterias in Saitama City.
https://www.urawa-reds.co.jp/club/konoyubi/redssanta.php

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]