At Leek Town , we fully appreciate the support that we receive from the community, and also appreciate the need for us to support the community wherever and whenever possible.

Whilst the festive period is one of joy and hope for many, we also realise that for some it can also be a struggle and one that can be filled with dread. Every day, people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. A simple box of food makes a big difference, with foodbanks helping prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems. As a town and local community, Leek is no different.

Like the amazing people who run and volunteer at the Leek & District Foodbank, we at Leek Town don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we were both proud and humbled to hold a collection for the Foodbank at our game against Chasetown FC last Saturday at the F Ball Community Stadium.

The initiative was the idea of our Marketing & Community Manager, Anthony Bunn, who commented “I have always felt a true community looks after those who need support the most, and whilst Foodbanks shouldn’t exist in this day and age, we are so grateful that they do”

“The Leek & District Foodbank do some amazing work. They provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. To support them really isn’t a hard decision to make, and we will continue to do that.”

The Leek & District Foodbank was founded in 2013 by local churches and community groups, with the aim of stopping hunger in the local area. It is now a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with local trustees, and is run by volunteers. Support and donations flooded in from Leek Town’s supporters, staff, and players – with the Chasetown game being targeted as one where the collection would take place.

Anthony added “It was an amazing day – box after box was filled with essential items, with donations of food and money coming from all ages. The first team players and management team started it all off on the Thursday night at training, and on the day of the match fans were coming in with bags of shopping. It was truly humbling, and one of the best days I’ve had in football."

"We packed a number of car boots way before the match had even started, and this is something that we will be repeating in the new year, as well as undertaking a number of other community support initiatives”.

Lindsey Stockton, the Project Manager of the Leek and District Foodbank was overjoyed with the response of the Blues players and faithful supporters.

"We really cannot thank the fans and staff of Leek Town Football Club enough, for a quite amazing donation to the Foodbank, gathered during their game on Saturday 16th December.
A total of 335.7kg of food and £147 was donated by the fans who attended the match against Chasetown and also donations made in the build up to the game, which is just such unbelievable generosity."

"Donations like this are vital for us to be able to continue supporting those in need in Leek and the surrounding villages. We are so busy at the moment, with so many struggling to afford to keep up with rising prices. The food donations can obviously be given out directly and the cash donations are used to purchase food when our stocks run low, so both are equally important to us. Thank you to each and every one of you who donated so very much."

Jon Eeles, Leek Town Chairman commented "What a proud day for us all at the Club, everyone came together to contribute and Id like to thank you sincerely for doing so. We are looking at further initiatives in 2024 and I know the good people of Leek will support them."

Leek & District Foodbank
Rear of Gateway Church
34 West Street
Leek
ST13 8AA
01538 373289 (Tues and Fri opening hours only)
Website: https://leekdistrict.foodbank.org.uk/