‘Many cases of sheer poverty are left unaided through lack of means. It is, therefore, with this principle object that we have set afloat the ‘Celtic’
Brother Walfrid, November 1887
ON Saturday April 8, 2017, ahead of our home match against Kilmarnock, a joint initiative between Celtic FC Foundation and partner Glasgow NE Foodbank, along with the incredible support of thousands of Celtic fans will once more address issues of poverty and hunger in our society by collecting items requested by local and national Foodbanks to be distributed to those most in need.
Two years ago on April 15, 2015, Celtic fans marked the 100th anniversary of Brother Walfrid’s passing by following the principles upon which he founded the club and organised a food collection to support the work of Foodbanks in and around the West of Scotland.
The legacy of Brother Walfrid is a football club fundamentally committed to his ideals of supporting those in need locally, nationally and far beyond national borders. Celtic FC Foundation continues to deliver this legacy on a daily basis and with its continued partnership with the Glasgow NE Foodbank, which was established in 2013, we are able to work together help alleviate some of the challenges in the local area and beyond.
We would like to invite all supporters who are attending the match against Kilmarnock on April 8 to bring a donation for the foodbanks we are supporting.
Further details on what to bring will be announced next week. There will be three drop-off stations:
– The Clover (main collection) and the West and East entrance areas along Janefield Street.
Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton said: “It is with regret that foodbanks exist but they do and we are committed to helping where we can. The partner we have in the NE Foodbank provide a terrific and much-needed service to thousands of people, as do similar organisations.
“The Celtic supporters have always responded to these appeals and I would ask that they do so again. It’s not only our partnership foodbank which will benefit from this, but several other foodbanks across the west of Scotland.”
Tara Maguire, Glasgow NE Foodbank Co-ordinator, added: “Since opening its doors in September 2013, Glasgow NE has assisted over 10,723 men, women and children with emergency food.
“We have distributed approximately 25,000kg of stock and approx 98 per cent of this has been donated from caring citizens, intent on making a difference across the East End of Glasgow.
“We hope to extend such generosity once again across the West of Scotland and beyond and have invited several different food provision agencies to benefit from the record breaking donations of Celtic supporters.
“Celtic supporters are integral in helping us all maintain vital services and more importantly, offer hope, to those experiencing hardship.”
Celtic FC Foundation announced its continuing partnership with Glasgow North East Foodbank, based at Calton Parkhead Parish Church in December 2016.
Since our initial investment in 2013, from proceeds secured through the Stiliyan Petrov Charity Match, Celtic FC Foundation have been a great supporter of the Foodbank and their vision to be ‘more than a Foodbank’.
Developing and growing this partnership further, Celtic FC Foundation is proud to continue to support a service which provides critical help to those in need and which sits here on our doorstep and beyond and encompasses the very ethos of why our club was formed.
The main ‘Hub’ based at Calton Parkhead Parish church not only supplies nutritionally-balanced emergency food parcels three days a week to those in crisis, but offers a much-needed cup of tea and a friendly face to talk to in times of turmoil and confusion. These services also extend to a further five units including:
– Bridgeton, St Francis in the East
– Sandyhills Parish Church
– Shettleston Old Parish Church
– St Enoch’s Hogganfield Parish Church
– Blairtummock Community Hall
Celtic FC Foundation are proud to continue this partnership and remain true to our charitable roots.
