Pal System Gunma and Thespa Gunma Luminous to Hold Joint Food Drive Donation Ceremony at Chiyoda Town Hall on June 3

Pal System Gunma (a consumer cooperative) and Thespa Gunma Luminous will hold a joint donation ceremony for food drive items at Chiyoda Town Hall on Wednesday, June 3, starting at 10:00 AM. Both organizations aim to realize SDGs through food loss reduction via food drives and supporting people in need of food.

A Partnership Crossing Boundaries: Co-op x Sports
Partnering with Pal System Gunma for the food donation is the Thespa Gunma Luminous, an adult women's soccer team based in Ota City. Since last year, both organizations have collaborated to achieve regional SDGs. At the donation ceremony, they will present the food items and report on their regional contribution activities, including the food drive, to the Mayor, followed by a discussion.

The items to be donated were collected from visitors at a special booth during the 'Chiyoda Kids Sports Festival' held on Tuesday, May 5 (national holiday). Pal System Gunma staff and Thespa Gunma Luminous players cooperated to accept donations of surplus food from households. Attendees who participated in the food drive also participated in a capsule drawing to win autographed merchandise from Thespa Gunma Luminous players.

The donated items will be delivered to those in need through food bank operators active in the region.

Outline of 'Pal System Gunma x Thespa Gunma Luminous SDGs Joint Food Drive Donation Ceremony'
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Venue: Chiyoda Town Hall, 2nd Floor Reception Room (1895-1 Akaiwa, Chiyoda-machi, Ora-gun, Gunma Prefecture)
Recipient: Chiyoda Town
Participants: Chiyoda Town (Mayor Junichi Takahashi, staff); Thespa Gunma Luminous (Representative Kazuaki Sunaga, 3 players); Pal System Gunma (Toru Mitsuyama, General Manager of SDGs Promotion Division, and others)
Content: Donation of food drive items and discussion

The Dual Career: Soccer Player and Co-op Staff
Honoka Kurokawa, a player for Thespa Gunma Luminous attending the ceremony, is also an active employee at Pal System Gunma's Tomeo Center (distribution hub) in Ota City. She is a highly motivated dual-career athlete who balances diligent professional work with three practices a week and matches on weekends. She brings smiles and energy to the entire workplace, with a healthy and bright personality, saying, 'I have no foods I dislike. I eat anything.'

Pal System Gunma strives to create an employment environment where employees can pursue their dreams while thriving. They provide flexible shift arrangements for Kurokawa to prioritize her matches and practice, and intend to continue supporting her diverse challenges in the future.

Thinking About a Sustainable Future with the Next Generation
Since fiscal year 2019, Pal System Gunma has partnered with local educational institutions to promote understanding of SDGs through study sessions and practice. The food drive is one of these initiatives, expanding as an activity that allows participants to take ownership in addressing social issues.

Pal System Gunma will continue to collaborate with all organizations facing regional issues, aiming for the resolution of social challenges.