It was at a NUST Board meeting in 2016 that the idea about starting a Fans Foodbank at Newcastle was first mooted. Due to NUST’s close relationship with the Football Supporters Association (FSA) the Board were aware of a combined initiative that had recently started by Liverpool’s Spirit of Shankly and Everton’s Blue Union, where collections had started before both club’s home matches and donated to their local Foodbank.
Being aware that the largest Foodbank in the country was on our own doorstep the Board tasked member Colin Whittle to lead on exploring a similar initiative at our own club.
Tasked with taking such an initiative forward, Colin, together with fellow fans Bill Corcoran and Steve Hastie, began the process the of exploring the possibility of setting up our own pre match collection.
In order to test the support for such an initiative the three fans met with representatives from Newcastle West End Foodbank (whose reach across the City has resulted in a change of name to Newcastle Foodbank), and then set up a fundraising event at Tyneside Irish Centre where the film ‘I Daniel Blake’ was played to a captive audience. Set in Newcastle, this was happening on our own doorstep!
It was clear from the support received when exploring the possibility of such an initiative, that our fan base was receptive to the possibility of supporting our own Community in whatever way possible. As a result, the first NUFC Fans Foodbank collection took place before the Derby County home match in January 2017.It’s fair to say that our fan base didn’t disappoint, and have supported the NUFC Fans Foodbank ever since, with both food and financial donations.
NUST are proud to have played a part in supporting NUFC Fans Foodbank, and when the NUST pledge scheme was discontinued following the club takeover from Mike Ashley a donation of £27,500 was made to the Foodbank. This donation has given the opportunity for the Foodbank to start their Peoples Pantry project, with sites at Blakelaw, NUcastle Foundation and Walker .
Whilst, unfortunately, demand for the Foodbank continues to grow and indeed is higher than ever, thanks to the magnificent support from fans, the NUFC Fans Foodbank are able to continue with their support for the Newcastle Foodbank.
Volunteers have already been out pre match for our Sela Cup weekend, and once again will be out and about on Strawberry Place before the season kicks off against Southampton.
Please feel free to contribute if you spot one of the NUFC Fans Foodbank volunteers out and about. Your support is greatly appreciated. The best fans in the world showing support for their own community-Newcastle United!
The Foodbank have recently released a promotional video which we hope will raise further awareness - see the video here
