On Friday 17 December, ahead of our Sky Bet Championship fixture against West Bromwich Albion, Barnsley FC, Reds in the Community and Barnsley Foodbank will host a food collection, where we will be accepting donations of food and essentials.
In what will be the first physical food collection at Oakwell, Barnsley FC are asking supporters to make a difference this Christmas. It isn’t right that anyone should be left hungry or living in extreme poverty. Over the last year, the most vulnerable in our community have faced extreme hardship and uncertainty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At this time of year, in what should be a period of celebration and joy, demand for support heightens from those in crisis. Some families may have to make incredibly difficult decisions between eating and heating - a decision no-one should have to make.
Reds in the Community Chief Executive Officer, Paul France said: “It’s unfortunate that this is needed and with Barnsley FC so integral to the local community, we must play an active role in beating hunger not just this Christmas, but all year round.
“The work Barnsley Foodbank does is brilliant and I am delighted that they have come on board with us. I have no doubt that our supporters will buy into this project and help the people of this town.”
The Barnsley FC family would therefore like to invite supporters, who are in a position to help, to make a donation on the matchday. One item from every supporter could make an insurmountable difference this Christmas.
An idea of items you could donate:
- Cereal
- Soup
- Pasta
- Rice
- Tinned tomatoes/pasta sauce
- Lentils, beans and pulses
- Tinned meat
- Tinned vegetables
- Tea/coffee
- Tinned fruit
- Biscuits
- UHT milk
- Fruit juice
The main drop-off station will be outside Toby’s Kids Club (Main Reception, South Stand), with collection points also close to the East and West Stand. In addition, there will also be a small number of Club volunteers with buckets, should supporters prefer to donate cash instead.
Suzanne Storey, Barnsley Foodbank Manager, added, “Barnsley Foodbank Partnership have continued to work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. We handed out a greater volume of emergency food parcels than ever and the winter sets to be a difficult season for many due to bill rises and Universal Credit cuts.
"Working with Reds in the Community and Barnsley FC is a huge opportunity to aid our emergency parcels over the coming months. All food collected goes towards our food parcels for local people who find themselves in financial crisis, and we are so grateful for this partnership.”
For supporters not attending Friday’s match but still wishing to contribute, you can donate the equivalent of a bag of provisions virtually!
Supporters can donate whatever they can afford by following the instructions HERE, or donating to our JustGiving page, HERE. Funds raised will go directly to supporting Barnsley Foodbank and ensuring that they stop local people from going hungry.
What do you NEED this Christmas?
Thank you for making a difference.
