Fitzy urges fans to support foodbank
Saints legend is confident supporters will be generous
David Campbell
david.campbell01@trinitymirror.comSport craig.ritchie@trinitymirror.com
Sport craig.ritchie@trinitymirror.com St Mirren legend Tony Fitzpatrick has urged fans to rally round hardup families by donating to a foodbank collection at their match this weekend.
Volunteers from Renfrewshire Foodbank will have collection points at the Paisley 2021 Stadium ahead of the Saints clash with Dundee United on Saturday.
St Mirren chief executive Tony says the club is right behind the initiative and hopes fans will give generously.
He said: “It’s the way the world is at the moment, everyone has to support one another.
“Lots of people rely on foodbanks these days so it is important we support them as much as we can.
“We are 100 per cent behind the foodbank collection. Everyone at the club – the directors, the management, the players - everyone is behind it.”
Renfrewshire Foobank volunteer Jim Crawford, from Paisley, is the man behind the collection and has urged bighearted Buddies to raid their larder and do their bit.
Jim, 65, said: “We know how generous the St Mirren fans are, so we are asking them to give as much as they can to the foodbank ahead of the Dundee United match on Saturday.
“The foodbank is running very low in items at the moment.
“We are giving out twice as much as we are taking in at the moment, so we are really in need of donations.
“Hopefully, having the collection points at the game will make it convenient for fans to bring food down and we have a team of volunteers that will distribute it to those that need it.”
Jim is delighted with the backing the club has shown the collection and believes it will act as an inspiration to supporters.
He added: “I think seeing the manager Jack Ross and some of the players getting involved will act as an inspiration to the fans to get behind the collection.
“We are very grateful that the club for supporting us.
“We have also contacted Dundee United and their fans are welcome to bring items along.
“We will be there between 2pm until 3.30pm on Saturday. And anyone in the surrounding area who is not going to the game can also bring items to us on the day.”
Renfrewshire Foodbank is currently running very low on the following items: tinned soup, tinned fruit, Long- life juice, UHT milk, cereal, tinned tomatoes, jam and teabags/ coffee.
Trussell Trust Foodbanks provide three days of emergency food to local individuals and families in crisis. Frontline care professionals, including health visitors, social workers and school liaison officers, can refer people who are facing hunger to the Foodbank.
To get help, you need to have a valid foodbank voucher and there are four distribution centres across Renfrewhire.
These are in Paisley, at the Central Baptist Church, 14 Lady Lane; Renfrew, at Renfrew Baptist Church,77 Paisley Road; Johnstone High Parish Church, Quarry Street,Johnstone, and Erskine Baptist Church, Park Hill, Park Mains, Erskine. ● If you can offer any help – through donations or volunteering – email manager@ renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk or call 0141 889 7999.