On Saturday 8th December for our home game against QPR, the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust in partnership with two local Leeds food bank, who have come together under the umbrella of “Leeds Fans Foodbanks” are asking supporters to bring desperately needed food and hygiene items to donate before the game to ensure the foodbanks can give parcels out to families that need emergency supplies over the festive period.

The food collection point is outside the East Stand, just by the Bremner statue and since its launch generous Leeds United Fans have donated over 1800 meals to families across Leeds just from the last three home games.

The foodbanks are running low on the following essential items:

Dilute juice drinks

Tins of fish / tomatoes / potatoes & vegetables

Mash/Smash

Custard

Rice pudding

Cereal

Pasta sauce

Long life fruit juice

Coffee

Toiletries and female hygiene products.

In addition, fans can also make donations of festive products such as mince pies, advent calendars and Christmas Cake Etc.

The Leeds United Supporters’ Trust is encouraging fans to bring enough items to Saturdays collection to ensure the foodbanks have enough meals to donate emergency food parcels across the festive period at what will be the toughest time of the year for some of these families. Supporters can also pledge cash donations if they can’t make the game online here: https://bit.ly/2DZSSzw.

Last year alone the two foodbanks provided food for 18,563 people, consisting of 11,662 adults and 6,901 children across the city.

The foodbanks are also looking for any volunteers who wish to help support their match day collections, if you are interested in helping you can contact: info@leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk or info@leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk

Leeds United Fans Foodbank commented “December is our busiest month. Last year Trussell Trust foodbank gave out 159,388 emergency food parcels and of that figure 65,622 were given to children. People that are being moved on to universal credit will have no payment before Christmas so your donation could really make the difference to some people having to choose between heating or eating.”

Leeds United Supporters’ Trust Commented “Since the launch of the foodbank initiative back in October, our generous supporters have already donated over 1800 meals. With families on universal credit not getting any payments before Christmas the foodbanks expect to see an increase in emergency food parcels. If every Leeds United fan attending the game brought at least one food item that would see the foodbanks have enough product for the entire festive period.”

Angus Kinnear, CEO at Leeds United Football Club, commented on the success of the initiative so far and said: "It has been brilliant to see how well the foodbank drive has been doing at Elland Road, fans and the local community have been really generous with their donations - which we knew they would be. We're hoping to do our biggest collection yet ahead of the QPR game on Saturday, this time of year especially is all about people coming together and supporting those who need that little bit of help."