Fans Supporting Foodbanks, an initiative started by rival Liverpool and Everton football supporters, has officially become a registered charity. The milestone comes nearly ten years after its founders first collected donations in a wheelie bin outside Goodison Park.
The organization, which unites football fans to combat food poverty, now supports a network of food pantries across Liverpool, providing essential supplies to approximately 2,500 people each week.
Key Takeaways
- Fans Supporting Foodbanks is now a registered charity with a formal board of trustees.
- The group was founded in October 2015 by Everton and Liverpool supporters.
- It currently supplies eight food pantries across Liverpool, feeding up to 2,500 people weekly.
- The founders continue to advocate for political solutions to food poverty, including a 'Right to Food'.
A Decade of Community Action
The journey for Fans Supporting Foodbanks began on October 17, 2015. It was founded by Everton supporters Dave Kelly and Robbie Daniels, alongside Liverpool fan Ian Byrne, who is now the MP for West Derby. The initial effort was simple: a single wheelie bin placed outside the Winslow pub near Goodison Park to collect food for those in need.
Now, almost a decade later, the grassroots movement has formalized its structure by becoming an official charity. A board of trustees has been established to guide its strategic direction and governance, ensuring its long-term stability and impact.
Dave Kelly, who has been elected as the new Chair, reflected on the organization's growth.
"When Robbie, Ian and I first stood outside the Winslow pub opposite Goodison Park with a wheelie bin to collect food, we never thought that ten years later we’d still be doing what we do. Although we are now a registered charity... we remain a grassroots organisation embedded in our football fan communities, trying to do our bit to help our neighbours."
How the Operation Works
The core of the charity's work remains its matchday collections. Volunteers gather food and other essential household items at the home games of both Liverpool FC and Everton FC, bringing together fans from rival clubs for a common cause.
These donations are then distributed to a network of eight food pantries located throughout the city. The pantry model allows local residents to sign up and, for a small weekly fee, receive a supply of groceries and other necessities.
Impact by the Numbers
- 8: Food pantries supplied across Liverpool.
- 2,500: Estimated number of people fed per week.
- 10: Years of operation since its founding in 2015.
More Than Just Food
The pantries, run by dedicated volunteers, are designed to be more than just distribution points. They are welcoming, non-judgemental community hubs that provide a sense of warmth and friendship.
Co-founder Robbie Daniels shared a story that highlights this crucial social aspect.
"I recently met someone at one of the pantries and while enjoying a chat, they told me I was the first person they’d had a proper conversation with since the previous week. While I was devastated to hear that someone in our community was living such an isolated life, I was pleased they had somewhere to come, get access to food and enjoy a chat."
A Call for Systemic Change
While providing immediate relief is central to their work, the founders maintain that their ultimate goal is to become redundant. They see their efforts as a temporary solution to a problem that requires a political resolution.
The 'Right to Food' Campaign
Co-founder Ian Byrne MP has been a vocal advocate for enshrining a 'Right to Food' into UK law. This campaign seeks to make access to sufficient and nutritious food a legal entitlement, holding the government accountable for tackling food poverty at its source.
Ian Byrne emphasized that the existence of food banks points to a larger systemic failure.
"The catastrophe of hunger and poverty in our communities is the direct result of political choices made by successive governments," he stated. "If a government cannot ensure that everyone has enough not to eat but to thrive, then it is a government that is fundamentally failing."
He added that the need for change is urgent. "It is clear the time for sticking plasters is over. We must legislate for a Right to Food and enforce food rights, ensuring that all governments are held accountable... for making sure no one goes hungry."
Future and National Influence
Despite becoming a formal charity, the organization's core mission has not changed. Dave Kelly reiterated their long-standing motto: "Our mission statement has always been ‘Close us down’."
He explained, "We live in the sixth richest economy in the world, and we shouldn’t have people reliant on foodbanks. But, while we still do, we will be here to help people who need us most."
The success of the Liverpool-based model has inspired similar initiatives across the UK. Football supporters in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have established their own matchday collection points, demonstrating the power of fan solidarity.
This weekend, collections will continue to unite rivals for a good cause. They are scheduled to take place at Anfield before Liverpool's match against Manchester United and at the Etihad Stadium before Everton's game against Manchester City.