Not sure if it has been seen by all, but prior to our home game against Wycombe Wanderers there will be a Food Bank Collection at both the ground and the corner flag. The collection has been set up by the Club and the Trust to help join ventures with all parties involved.

The Group that approached the Trust and club are called North East Athletic. It is an organised charity that help recovering addicts (drugs, alcohol, gambling and any other form or addiction), as well as the homeless. NEA have worked with the Newcastle United Supporters Trust and South Shields FC to great effects. NEA collect the food from the collection points and donate all to the local food bank. This forms part of their recovery programme on interacting and integrating back in to the community. It is also a way of the boys and girls that are on the programme say thank you to the community they were once part of. The scheme has had some really good succeess stories, with all fully recovered addicts put through things like Level 1 coaching badges and other qualifications. One of the recently recovered addicts has gone on to gain a full qualification in motor mechanics and has gone on to open his own business.

This is a great opportunity for the people of the town to show we are a caring lot, so please support the event. Full details can be found on the OS:

http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/ ... 14921.aspx

and details on the charity here:

http://www.northeastathletic.co.uk/

Maybe Bishop can donate some left over pizzas and kebabs?

Seriously though, good stuff.

Just a quick on to remind folk about the food bank collection on Saturday. Collection points at the corner flag and the Victoria Lounge.

Non-perishable food items such as cereal, soup, pasta, rice, beans, tinned meat or vegetables, tea, coffee and biscuits are welcome, as well as toiletries.

Cheers

Sadly, please donate, I mean sadly as in this day and age we shouldn't have too, it is unfortunately necessary though.

As for you mR tREE,, I have had only 3 takeaways since January and have lost quite a bit of kite!!!!!!!!

Just a reminder about the food bank collection today. Please donate generously - all for a good cause.

Collection points in family zone in Victoria lounge and corner flag.

Cheers

A great idea. But I always think it's a bit sad that you can't donate fresh fruit and vegetables. I know there'd be a problem distributing them before they went off, but surely there must be a way to do it?

Well hopefully be doing another collection. I'll ask the question for the next one.

On the collection yesterday, it went down a storm. Foodbank and North East Athletic were overwhelmed by the supporters of the Hartlepool public. We collected a similar amount as newcastle did on their first collection. So a huge round of applause to our fantastic supporters, the corner flag, the club and the staff at the club. Well done poolies.

Fantastic news

Foodbank can take fresh stuff as long its not big amounts because storing it is a problem.

Foodbank at Church , is open Tues and Friday 11.30am until 1.30pm both these days, maybe that would be the best time to deliver fresh stuff.

Good stuff.

I work in a homeless hostel for 16 - 24 year olds in Whitley Bay and our residents depend upon foodbanks and food bought by us at times, because of the harsh regime the DWP are employing these days. I am Daniel Blake is factually correct - there is no flexibility of compassion in the system and sanctions are often very harsh and have a severe impact, sometimes on children aged 16 and 17.
We get food not sold by the nearby Greggs every Monday and Thursday and that's gratefully received. But fruit and veg are not usually used Grabec, unless staff make a vegetable soup, and even then, most residents would turn their noses up at such food.
You'd think, you're homeless, just fucking eat it, because they often go without if offered something they don't like, but I guess that's the way it is.
So I suppose what I'm saying, is that fresh fruit and veg sounds great, but, stereotyping I know, because we have a couple here doing chef training, most of the buggers won't eat it.

I help out in a breakfast club for the homeless or people that are generally struggling and some of the sanctions etc are harsh.

I also do other similar voluntary work, so i get to know situations people struggle with.

A new one just coming in or has maybe come in is under 21s wont get any help with their rent if they need it.

i agree I Daniel Blake is well worth watching.

In my small mind, if you turn down a veg soup you're not hungry. Maybe it's because they know if they hold out they'll get a steak bake or a mince pie.
Keep up the good work, I hope they appreciate your efforts more than they do healthy food!

PJ is holding out for the sperm bank

Thanks for that, Rossmere. Our local foodbank doesn't take fresh food but when they know other people are managing it, they might think again.

That's interesting, St C. I can imagine that scenario, especially if people aren't used to home-cooked food and maybe think of it as uncool. But I guess many parents needing foodbanks would love a few grapes and apples for their kids.

I once offered to help in a foodbank myself, but it was Church-run, and I was asked to provide a character reference from a vicar. Needless to say I don't know any vicars, but maybe I gave up too easily and should ask if some sort of substitute vicar would do instead!

Good on you, Mr Blue.

You know a Bishop, he might help

I hope you're not serious. Letting on that I know shady characters like the Bishop could result in nothing but disaster.

Leave me out of this, Father Jack (my mentor) said that's an ecumenical matter!