Caring South Shields Football Club helps to support South Tyneside food bank

The club last week said they were looking to help food banks across South Tyneside meet the demand for collections and deliveries.

An approach was quickly made by Key 2 Life Food Bank, based at Boldon Lane Library, in South Shields.

Key 2 Life is the longest-running food bank on South Tyneside and plays a crucial part in helping some of the most vulnerable people in the area.

Last year it gave out over 4,000 parcels.

Club captain Jon Shaw, business development manager Colin Docherty and media manager Daniel Prince joined Jo Benham Brown, who helps to oversee the volunteer-led food bank, and collected and delivered vital supplies

which were paid for by generous donations from the public.

They then helped to unpack the supplies and make parcels and it is expected that club members will assist the volunteers on a regular basis.

Jon Shaw said: "At a time like this it's important that we stick together as a community and if we as a club can help those in the most unfortunate positions we will.

"We're all more than happy to commit time and effort over the coming weeks and months to support the families that need it the most.

"We know we're only making a small dent on it but we will try to help as much as we can.

"Seeing the efforts people go to at the food bank on a voluntary basis is really humbling and inspiring for us all."

Miss Benham Brown, business and development manager for Key Project, which helps to oversee Key 2 Life, said: "We really appreciated the support at a time when we are struggling to get enough donations to feed families that are in crisis in South Shields.

"It was great to see the lads helping out at the food bank and the offer of more help over the coming weeks to support us is brilliant.

"We have lots of measures in place to ensure the food and supplies go to the most vulnerable and in need people in South Tyneside, and support like this is invaluable."

Members of the public can help by bringing items to the food bank at Boldon Lane Library between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Particular items which are needed at the moment are pasta sauce, UHT milk, tinned potatoes, tinned meals such as spaghetti bolognese, chilli and curry, toilet rolls and shower gel.