Saints Fans Supporting Foodbanks

Unfortunately due to the cost of living crisis, there has been a need to help support people in our local Perthshire area.

Saints Fans Supporting Foodbanks have been activly collecting supplies since April 1st when we hosted Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park.

SFSF coordinator, Colin McKay, has been delighted with the progress so far: 

"We have now had 4 collections, at each of our home games since 1st April, and, as co-coordinators, Danny Williams and I have been absolutely blown away with the response and generosity of the fans, both Saints and away fans.

"We know that every single donation, no matter how big, or how small, is helping to make a positive difference for those is crisis within our communities, and we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to every fan who has helped us. Some have given at every single collection.

"When doing initial research we expected to collect maybe 3 or 4 crates per game, but that was something of an underestimate, to say the least.

"Thanks to the Fans Supporting Foodbanks Scotland, St Johnstone Football Club, and our SLO Bev, details of each collection have been circulated widely and also shared with visiting Clubs. 

"We are really appreciative of the level of support provided by the Club, allowing us set up our collection point near to the Club Shop every match, and for giving us a storage area inside the Ormond Stand. Betty Ship at the Club Shop has also provided fantastic support to us.

"We will be collecting at the last two home games this season, and we aim to make our Foodbank Collection Point a permanent feature at each home game for the whole if next season."

Collection totals so far

1st April v Aberdeen:  

17 crates (383.15kg) & £127.75 for Saints in the Community 

8th April v Ross County:

19 crates (314.45kg) &130.52 for Saints in the Community 

22nd April v Hibernian: 

20 crates (391.55kg) & £84.23 for Saints in the Community 

6th May v Dundee Utd

25 crates (304.85kg) & £180.04 for Saints in the Community 

13th May v Motherwell 

16 crates (tbc) & £213.22 for Saints in the Community 

CEO of The St Johnstone Community Trust, Francis Smith, had this to say: 

“As a collective, fans have now raised in excess of £700 for Saints in the Community – it’s such an incredible amount for us to be able to dedicate to our community food provisions and we’re so thankful. St Johnstone fans are likely aware of our ‘Eat Like a PRO!’ initiative which we typically host once a year, but the full extent of our work to support families at mealtimes is not something we shout too much about because it can often be a sensitive topic. Perth is generally not considered an area impacted by poverty, but it is. 1 in 4 children are living in poverty across Perth & Kinross and there was an 89% rise in food bank use in recent years. During the recent school holidays, Saints in the Community provided 134 free meals for local children and we’re grateful that with the support of fans we will be able to continue doing similarly throughout Summer.”

Follow Saints Fans Supporting Foodbanks on twitter by clicking HERE