Town Foodbanks Group Collection at Tonight's Match
Friday, 4th Sep 2026 13:31
Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks is calling on supporters to bring donations to this evening’s Liverpool fixture for a symbolic collection linking two communities at the heart of the Fans Supporting Foodbanks movement.
Tonight’s collection, which will take place between 5.30pm and 7.30pm, has particular significance for the Fans Supporting Foodbanks movement, which was founded in Liverpool in 2015 by Liverpool and Everton supporters.
What began with a small number of fans collecting food in wheelie bins outside football matches has grown into a nationwide movement with supporters of clubs across the country now using matchdays to tackle food poverty in their communities.
Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks was established in 2023 and has since raised more than £30,000 for local foodbank charity Families In Need (FIND).
The entirely fan-led campaign collects food, essential items and financial donations from supporters at Ipswich Town matches, with donations helping people experiencing food insecurity across Suffolk.
The Liverpool fixture offers an opportunity for the two supporter communities to demonstrate the principle at the heart of the movement: Hunger doesn’t wear club colours.
Ian Byrne, Liverpool West Derby MP and co-founder of Fans Supporting Foodbanks, said: “When we set up Fans Supporting Foodbanks in 2015, it was about Liverpool and Everton supporters coming together to support people in our communities who were struggling with food poverty.
“What started as three fans with wheelie bins has grown into a national movement because football supporters understand the power they have when they come together.
“It’s fantastic to see that spirit of solidarity continuing at Ipswich. Football rivalries should never stop us from standing together against hunger. Hunger doesn’t wear club colours, and I hope supporters at Portman Road will get behind the collection on Friday.”
Charlie Nixon, of Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks, added: “There is something particularly meaningful about holding this collection when Liverpool comes to Portman Road.
“Fans Supporting Foodbanks was born from supporters of Liverpool and Everton putting their differences aside and deciding that tackling food poverty in their communities was more important than football rivalry.
“That idea has spread across the country, and we’re proud that Ipswich supporters are now part of that movement.
“We’ve raised more than £30,000 since 2023, but the need for support remains. We’re asking everyone coming to Portman Road on Friday, whether they support Ipswich, Liverpool or simply want to help, to bring something along if they can.”
Collection points will be available in the FanZone and on Portman Road opposite Planet Blue between 5.30pm and 7.30pm ahead of kick-off.
Supporters are encouraged to bring non-perishable food or essential household items, or make a cash or card donation.
The collection will support FIND, which provides emergency food and other assistance to people across Suffolk experiencing hardship.
Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks is entirely volunteer-led and welcomes supporters who want to help with future collections, fundraising and campaigning.
Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks can be contacted via ITFC.FSF@gmail.com, while they can be found on Facebook here and on Twitter here. Donations can be made via a GoFundMe page here.
Photo: Contributed
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