FOLLOWING Celtic FC Foundation’s successful Sleep Out event last weekend, our Christmas Appeal spotlight series continues by looking at the work of some of those charities who will benefit from the generosity of the Celtic support.
Today the focus is on Loaves and Fishes, a Glasgow-based charity tackling hunger and poverty among the city’s homeless.
Loaves and Fishes started out as a soup kitchen over 20 years ago, feeding the homeless from the back of a van. One of our favourite sons, Tommy Burns, was a regular volunteer.
Today, they are based at Renfield St Stephen’s Church in Glasgow city centre, where they provide a meal for around 40 people twice a week, as well as offering clothing, toiletries and a friendly ear.
In addition, Loaves and Fishes deliver more than 1,500 food parcels a year to families and individuals in Glasgow, plus North and South Lanarkshire.
Denis Curran, Chairman of Loaves and Fishes, spoke passionately about the work of the charity and emphasised the need for support this Christmas.
He said: “Loaves and Fishes is a voluntary charity. It’s totally dependent on people’s goodwill as we receive no government funding. No one gets paid, everyone gives up their time freely and no one is sent away hungry.
“Our doors are open to anybody, and any of us can be affected – who you are today isn’t necessarily who you’re going to be in a month’s time.”
Celtic FC Foundation has proudly supported Loaves and Fishes over a number of years and Denis was keen to point out that the generosity of our supporters can go a long way.
He said: “The money we received last year from Celtic FC Foundation allowed us to put on an extra meal during the winter.
“Celtic FC Foundation’s contribution isn’t just giving money. Money is very important, however, it’s what comes with that money and the things you can do with it, it is about bringing hope back into people’s lives and you can’t put a price on that.
“When I go to someone’s house with a bag of groceries, you’re giving people hope that tomorrow is going to be different. You’re showing love to people that you have never met and that changes them, the idea that others care enough to share what they have.”
Celtic FC Foundation’s annual Christmas Appeal reflects the very heart of the club’s charitable and humble beginnings.
This year, we want to help around 250 local families facing poverty, to provide a meal on the table and gifts for the kids. We want to bring the magic of Christmas to those homes.
We are also looking to help vulnerable local pensioners to ease the financial burden at a challenging time of year plus a number of other local charities who support those experiencing homelessness or other disadvantage, including Glasgow City Mission and the Scottish Refugee Council.
The generosity and compassion of the Celtic Family is unsurpassed, and Celtic FC Foundation is requesting your support once again for an initiative which proudly follows in the footsteps of Brother Walfrid, providing comfort to those on our doorstep.
So together, let’s raise more than the roof this Christmas.
To get behind our 2016 Christmas Appeal, you can:
- Donate by Text – text ‘CELT07’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70070
- Donate Online – www.celticfcfoundation.com
- Donate via Paypal – www.celticfcfoundation.com
- Donate in Cash – there are collection boxes located in all Celtic Stores
- Donate by Cheque – payable to ‘Celtic FC Foundation’ and sent to Celtic FC Foundation, Celtic Park, Glasgow, G40 3RE.
- Give as you Live via your Christmas Shopping – www.celticfcfoundation.com
- Come along to the Ghirls for Good ladies event on Saturday, December 3 – call 0141 551 4321 or email [email protected]
- Support our matchday bucket collection on Saturday, December 17 – to register as a volunteer collector, call 0141 551 4321 or email [email protected]
Any support you give this Christmas will help those who need it most. Thank you for making a difference.
