*** Greenwich Foodbank collection before this week's home games... ***

Cardinal Sin

A plug for the Greenwich Foodbank which is collecting food donations in the West Stand car park (Greenwich Foodbank van) before the Huddersfield and Hull games. The Foodbank in Greenwich has been struggling to meet demand for a number of months and has had to buy food on occasions to maintain supply. All donations will be gratefully received and will go to help provide emergency food parcels for those in desperate need over the festive period. Charlton fans made a fantastic contribution last Christmas. Let's pull together and do it again.

hoof_it_up_to_benty

A great cause.

AFKABartram

This will naturally be harder for evening games as opposed to a Saturday but let’s all try and make an effort to support as best we can

jacob_CAFC

Very sad this is the case. 

LMHR

What what is most needed ?? Anyone know ? 

swords_alive

Last year I got in the sainsburys local at the station and filled a bag up with some tins and dry packet food. Easily done really. Would do the same again if I was at these games this week.

Weegie Addick

@LMHR you'll find the details in this CAST info:

CAST is co-ordinating this year's Foodbank initiative at The Valley whereby Charlton fans will be able to make donations to help local people in need over Christmas.

The club have joined forces with CAST and Fans Supporting Foodbanks and supporters will be able to make donations before the games against Huddersfield (December 10th) and Hull (December 13th). We will be in the West Stand car park from 6.15pm on both evenings to receive your donations.

The items collected will be given to Greenwich Foodbank, who operate eight foodbanks in the borough, and are in desperate need during the Christmas period.

Alan Robinson of Greenwich Foodbank said:

"We are very pleased to hear that Charlton Athletic are once again going to host a donation site at The Valley to enable fans to make contributions to our food stock. During the summer the requirement for our service was so high that we very nearly ran out of supplies so the knowledge that Charlton fans will be generously donating next week is a great boost to our confidence that our supply will keep up with the ever increasing demand, particularly at this busy time of year."

Non-perishable foods have a long shelf life and don't require refrigeration. Examples include cereals, rice, long life milk or canned meat or fish. Please note that the foodbank currently has plenty of beans and pasta but is in great need of tinned fruit, tinned carrots, tinned peas, long-life fruit juice and tinned rice/custard. Further details:

https://greenwich.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/.

Rob7Lee

swords_alive said:

Last year I got in the sainsburys local at the station and filled a bag up with some tins and dry packet food. Easily done really. Would do the same again if I was at these games this week.

I did the same in the sweet shop on Charlton Lane, if I can't make it in time to do so this year i'll take some down there another day.

MuttleyCAFC

The are more foodbanks in this country than there are MacDonalds and Burger Kings combined.

LouisMend

Toiletries also a good shout 

cabbles

LouisMend said:

Toiletries also a good shout 

Was gonna say, this is also a good option 

aliwibble

If you're thinking about getting toiletries, both Wilko and Superdrug are currently doing 3 for 2 on travel size toiletries, which may be more useful for those living rough than the full size versions. Shaving stuff and sanitary supplies are also often needed.

castrust

The van is in the car park and we'll be there from 6.15pm to receive donations. If its difficult for you to bring foodstuffs to an evening game you can always make a cash donation which we will gladly pass on.

Cardinal Sin

aliwibble said:

If you're thinking about getting toiletries, both Wilko and Superdrug are currently doing 3 for 2 on travel size toiletries, which may be more useful for those living rough than the full size versions. Shaving stuff and sanitary supplies are also often needed.

I appreciate the thought Aliwibble but in three years of volunteering at my local Foodbank, I have never seen anyone there who has been 'living rough.' That might be a perception but I can assure you that all of those presenting in need have addresses and are far from sleeping rough. It's a simple lack of money, typically due to job loss, separation  or transition to Universal Credit - often a choice at this time of year of 'heating or eating.' Most are evidently embarrassed to be there but they have been forced through circumstances. I should also say that Foodbanks are a temporary solution - we don't see the same people week-after-week because the Foodbank is not set-up to subsidise anyone's income, just as an emergency help and that is managed carefully to ensure that it's not abused. Thanks to all those making the effort this evening to contribute.

AFKABartram

The tins are safe but the pack of biscuits might not make it :-)

floydroadfaithfull

Never donated before but instead of 2 pre match pints I filled a bag up in  Sainsburys
Think the thread about getting older has made me think how lucky I am

AFKABartram

Much gratitude to @Pico and @Cardinal Sin
for giving up their time to support this.

Lets use tonight as the warm up and Friday for the main night. I’m sure we collectively can top what was achieved tonight. 

Cardinal Sin

Thanks to the 70 or so who donated last night. We collected 16 trays of non-perishable food which will provide around twenty people with emergency food rations for three days. Many of those who gave said they will see us again on Friday before the Hull match. Hopefully we can finish our pre-Chrstmas Valley collection with a victory - last night's game was another big disappointment. Our failure to create chances is killing us.

hoof_it_up_to_benty

The need for a foodbank puts things in perspective.

eaststandmike

Cardinal Sin said:

Thanks to the 70 or so who donated last night. We collected 16 trays of non-perishable food which will provide around twenty people with emergency food rations for three days. Many of those who gave said they will see us again on Friday before the Hull match. Hopefully we can finish our pre-Chrstmas Valley collection with a victory - last night's game was another big disappointment. Our failure to create chances is killing us.

Can I just check something.

Did an old looking fella a bit on the short side donate a packet of biscuits?   

bolloxbolder

Suspect Boris will close these countrywide on Friday.

floydroadfaithfull

Come on everyone can spare some change Friday even if you drop 1 50p item in 
Imagine if everyone in the valley did this how many this would help have a better xmas
Let's make it happen

Weegie Addick

Must admit only 70 is a bit disappointing. We'll drop a few tins in on Friday. A lot more worthwhile than the football might be.

Cardinal Sin

70 not bad Weegie - what's important is the amount of food and that was good. I should say that we were also give £23 which I paid in today when returning the food and van. Thanks to the two gents who put their hands in their pockets.

Goonerhater

collected £46 at our village halls Car Boot sale for the Folkestone food bank two weeks ago .Im also registered as a volunteer although havnt been called yet.

Cardinal Sin

Good work R.

Weegie Addick

The Foodbank van will be back behind the West Stand before the match this evening. Please be generous to those in need, particularly at this time of year.

Neil_Heaney

LouisMend said:

Toiletries also a good shout 

Are the 'urgently needed' items the same tonight do we know? 

Weegie Addick

Yes, still the same list on the website. 

rananegra

The urgently needed items are actually quite cheap if you get the budget brands which is a sensible thing to do your money goes a lot further.

Cardinal Sin

Neil_Heaney said:

LouisMend said:

Toiletries also a good shout 

Are the 'urgently needed' items the same tonight do we know? 

Yes Neil - it doesn't change much...