BURTON Albion fans are being asked to help the YMCA provide food for families in crisis by bringing grocery items to the QPR fixture.
The YMCA food bank has never been more needed, with more families using the service in August than at any other time.
Now Brewers fans can play their part by bringing tins and packets of food to the QPR match on Tuesday, September 27th.
YMCA volunteers will be on hand to collect donations and to make sure they are distributed to those in need.
Paul Laffey, from the YMCA, said: “The YMCA food bank has been running for 14 years and we rely on local churches, schools, organisations and businesses to donate the food which we give out to those in crises.
"That might be people who have lost their jobs, or are waiting for benefits to come through. We have had pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet – people from all walks of life. We get referrals from social services and housing associations, health authorities and GPS.
“In August, 155 people needed our help including 43 children – which was a record in all the years we have been keeping statistics. We suspect it was because children weren’t getting free school meals during holidays. Last year we saw more than 1,500 people come to us – and they can only use us four times a year as it’s not a replacement to their food shopping, it’s just for those in crisis. Food is a basic necessity we take for granted and we see people in a very distressed state.
“There are a number of items we are running very low on and we would say to the fans that it will make a big difference to many lives if they can help us out.
Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinson, who is also president of the Burton YMCA, said: “Our fans were very generous when we asked for donations last season and I would urge them to support this important cause again this year. It really does make a big impact.”
Items fans are encouraged to bring are listed below:
UHT Milk (500ml or 1 litre cartons or screw top bottles)
Coffee
Teabags
Sugar
Tinned Meals: Irish stew / chilli con carne / spaghetti bolognaise / ravioli / macaroni cheese / hot dogs / minced beef / curry / meatballs / casserole / tinned pies
Tinned Corned beef / ham / spam / luncheon meat
Tinned Potatoes
Tinned Tomatoes
Pasta
Pasta sauce
Rice
Savoury rice
Noodles
Pot noodles
Tinned fruit
Rice pudding
Custard
Biscuits / cereal bars / crackers