Support fan-organised food bank

The food bank collection - organised by the Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) and NUFC Fans United - comes three weeks after the successful launch of the ‘NUFC Fans Food Bank’ campaign.

Follow the campaign on Twitter, here.

Ahead of the Championship match against Derby County earlier this month, a staggering three tonnes of food and toiletries were donated by kind-hearted supporters for the benefit of vulnerable people in the region.

Before kick-off this Saturday, volunteers will once again be manning a collection point at the Gallowgate End of the stadium from 1pm until kick-off for supporters to drop off donations.

All donated items will go to Newcastle West End Foodbank, which is the largest and most in-demand of its kind in the UK and provides emergency food parcels to vulnerable local people across Tyneside.

Supporters are being encouraged to bring along any of the following items:

• Breakfast cereals
• Soup
• Pasta
• Rice
• Pasta sauce
• Tinned beans
• Tinned meat
• Tinned vegetables
• Tinned fruit
• Tea or coffee
• Sugar
• Biscuits/snacks
• Soap
• Toiletries
• Sanitary products
• Toothpaste

About Newcastle West End Foodbank

While offering emergency food assistance to people in need is its primary aim, the Newcastle West End Foodbank also aims to change the lives of its dependents by finding solutions to underlying social problems.

Mike Nixon from Newcastle West End Foodbank, said “In the majority of cases, we are able to support people in overcoming their food crisis after three visits.

“For those in need of further support, and recognising the unsustainability of handing out food parcels on a regular basis, we have introduced what we call our Integration Project.

“Through the project, we work in partnership with specialist agencies to help people overcome the often complex underlying problems that have led to them needing the food bank, such as: household debt, lack of employment, risk of homelessness, addiction and not claiming full benefit entitlements.

"Our approach has proved successful in helping people break their dependency on the foodbank, re-engage with employment support and encourage social integration within the community.

“We really appreciate the work done to set this initiative up on match days and thank Newcastle United and their supporters for their support.”

To find out more about the Newcastle West End Foodbank, please visit newcastlewestend.foodbank.org.uk.