ClubLFC joins forces with Arsenal to support Green Football Weekend foodbank donation drive

Club representatives and supporters’ groups will make the donation of food and other supplies pre-match, which will support the Islington Foodbank and Arsenal’s local community.

Travelling fans are also encouraged to make a donation, if they can, of essential items – including tinned fruit and vegetables, soup, baked beans and toiletries – two hours before kick-off at the collection point located at the north-east corner of Emirates Stadium.

LFC official partner Cadbury will also support the club’s donation by supplying a range of delicious chocolate treats.

Green Football Weekend runs from February 2 to 5 and is focusing on encouraging supporters to eat more sustainably by choosing veggie and plant-based options.

The Reds’ head of nutrition, Mona Nemmer, has also shared her favourite matchday recipe ‘homemade pasta and LFC super sauce’ in Green Football Weekend’s free Veggie Cookbook for fans to try. To download Mona’s recipe, visit Green Football Weekend’s website.

Forbes Duff, head of community engagement at LFC Foundation, said: “Through our Red Neighbours programme, we have been supporting foodbanks and community pantries for more than seven years, providing emergency support to thousands of people in our local communities.

“It’s great to be able to extend our support to Arsenal’s newly established matchday collections for Islington Foodbank during Green Football Weekend, and highlighting the importance of access to food for all and minimising food waste.

“Building better futures for our people and our communities is part of the club’s award-winning sustainability strategy – The Red Way – which demonstrates our ongoing commitment and drive to achieve more.”

Freddie Hudson, head of Arsenal in the Community, added: “Both of our clubs have a long history in supporting the most vulnerable in our respective communities, and it’s heartwarming to see them come together like this in support of a shared cause.

“Green Football Weekend is a timely reminder of the importance of ensuring we do not let food go to waste, and that we work together to ensure a better outcome for our communities. We look forward to returning the gesture at our trip to Anfield next season.”

LFC Women will also be hosting a foodbank collection at Prenton Park ahead of their Barclays Women's Super League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur on February 4. Fans can make their donations between 12pm-2pm GMT at the Fans Supporting Foodbank van, situated outside the stadium.

Since 2017, LFC has been supporting St Andrew’s Community Network, home of the North Liverpool Foodbank, and hosting food donations at every home fixture alongside Fans Supporting Foodbanks, which supplies 25 per cent of all donations to North Liverpool Foodbank.

Fans can show their support every matchday at Anfield by dropping off any non-perishable food donations from three hours before kick-off at the foodbank collection points, which are located at the official LFC retail store at Anfield, Homebaked bakery, and the Fans Supporting Foodbanks unit on Walton Breck Road.

Donations can also be made to North Liverpool Foodbank by simply texting SACN to 70085 to donate £10 to St Andrew’s Community Network, or by visiting www.standrewslive.org.uk/donate.

For information on the Red Neighbours programme, visit www.liverpoolfc.com/foundation.

To discover more about LFC’s The Red Way, visit www.liverpoolfc.com/theredway.