Guest Post by John Ratomski
Six years ago we hadn’t yet started our foodbank collections, and were in discussions with Newham council about getting a designated matchday collection point. Early discussions didn’t go well. They came back and said ‘we think fans might use cans as weapons’. Fortunately the club, LLDC and LS185 were more positive and the rest is history.
So starting from a handful of volunteers with food baskets on a bench and a banner, 6 years later, we estimate that around £250,000 of food, some 60 tonnes, has been delivered to local communities, plus over £2 million in new clothes that we distribute from various manufacturers.
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As a result we’ve now been invited to become an official West Ham United charity partner for 2025-26, and with much pride, we (or West Ham fans) are now recognised alongside respected charities including, BLESMA, Richard Hope House, DT38, Ambition Aspire Achieve and others, and so we send the greatest of thanks to the West Ham fan family who help us do what we do.
Founder John Ratomski commented:
“We’ve worked with the club and WHU Foundation for a few years, and they’ve let us get on and do what we do best in the community. Starting with 6 foodbanks in Newham, and now having grown to over 120 foodbanks, community groups and homeless centres across east London and Essex.
We’re not a registered charity, and rely on the goodwill and funding by West Ham United fans, manufacturers, and also Newham council and Community Food Enterprise for the use of their warehouses.
It’s humbling to be recognised by West Ham United in this way.”
Click here to find out more or support the food bank