Backing from top teams across the UK
Football clubs from across the UK have set aside their rivalries to team up with anti-poverty charity, Trussell, and work towards ending hunger in the UK.
St Johnstone, Motherwell, St Mirren, Liverpool, Everton, Glentoran, and Bangor 1876 FC, are among the clubs who are supporting Trussell’s Football vs Hunger campaign which aims to unite the football community to help relegate hunger to history.
The support from the clubs comes at a time when one in seven people across the UK are experiencing hunger and finding themselves with no option but to turn to a food bank to survive.
During the 23/24 Premier League season, 2.5 million emergency food parcels were distributed across the UK – this includes 902,232 parcels provided for children facing hunger.
This is enough parcels to put one on every seat in every single ground in the English Premiership, Scottish Premiership, the whole of the Welsh and Northern Irish football pyramid, and each nation’s national stadiums, with tens of thousands of food parcels left over.
Many of these parcels were made possible by donations from football clubs and fan groups who are already showing incredible support to their local food bank through food drives, fundraising activities and logistical support.
But, with 82% of football fans agreeing that food banks shouldn’t have to exist in the UK, Trussell is now encouraging the football community to join them in calling for urgent action to address hunger and hardship.
The campaign looks to raise awareness of the challenges that are driving people to need food banks and encourage everyone to play their part in helping to tackle hunger.
Ellie Lambert, head of activations at Trussell, said: “From facing down racism, to tackling homophobia, football has a proud history in leading the way in shaping a better society, by uniting as one voice and calling for change.
“Hunger in the UK isn’t a food problem – it’s a money problem. If everyone has enough money to live on, we’ll end hunger for good. We know what needs to change to make this future possible, but we can only get there by working together.
“That is why we are delighted that so many clubs are playing their part by signing the club charter and joining us in calling for the solutions needed to ensure everyone can afford the essentials.
“Whether you’re a grassroot player, a Premier League Club or a fan on the terraces, you can make a difference by standing with us and saying that it’s not acceptable that anybody should experience hunger.”
