TrustSTFC and Swindon Town partner with charity to provide food for town’s residents
Swindon Food Collective is in urgent need of donations
Swindon Town Football Club and Supporter's Trust are joining forces with Swindon Food Collective to raise awareness of food insecurity.
Ahead of Swindon's first home game of the season against Cambridge United, volunteers will be taking donations behind the Town End between 1pm and 3pm.
Swindon Food Collective said earlier this month that the cost-of-living crisis left them struggling for supplies.
Cher Smith, Manager at Swindon Food Collective, told Greatest Hits Radio: “We are finding that our level of donations from customers in supermarkets is going down and that doesn't enable us to meet the need of the clients coming to the distribution centres of which we've got 11.
“So, we're having to raise funds to be able to go out and buy food, so we're also being hit by the cost-of-living crisis whereby the prices are going up week by week and therefore it's costing the charity more and more to be able to continue to help people.”
The partnership aims to demonstrate a shared commitment to “making a positive impact beyond the pitch”.
A spokesperson for TrustSTFC said: “Now more than ever, it is a crucial resource for the community, and we at the Trust would like to welcome those who can to help out others less fortunate.
“Any donations, no matter how small, will be welcome.
“We hope to be able to offer a match-day drop-off point at more games to come this season.”
Swindon Food Collective deals mostly in tins and dried products and would appreciate donations of the following:
- Tinned fish
- Tinned fruit
- Tinned meat
- Tinned vegetables
- Tinned potatoes
- Tinned puddings
- Pasta / Curry Sauce – packets or jars
- Biscuits
- Toiletries
- Household Products
“Some of them are the most expensive items it seems, but to be honest, sometimes a tin of fish is cheaper than a tin of meat these days, or a tin of soup. Soup is over a pound a tin now, so it does cause problems for people to even donate a tin of soup”, added Ms Smith.
“But we don't ask for a brand, we ask for the Super Saver brands as well. So, if you can afford it, we say ‘A can if you can’.”
Anyone who wants to donate but is unable to make it to the County Ground today, there is an ongoing food collection point at the stadium’s reception as well.
People can also make donations at supermarkets, most churches and at Swindon Food Collective’s warehouse.