St Johnstone Fans Supporting Foodbanks are about to facilitate their 100th match-day collection covering both the men’s and women’s team home matches.
Since their very first collection, almost three years ago, on 1st April 2023, at the SPFL fixture versus Aberdeen, the fan-led group of volunteers have held a collection at every men’s team home match, regardless of the weather.
The following March, thanks to one of their co-coordinators Danny Williams, they also started collecting at every women’s team home match.
The group will reach the significant milestone of 100 match-day collections on Saturday, and they have no intention of stopping any time soon.
Saints Fans Supporting Foodbanks co-coordinator Colin MacKay said: “Three years ago when we held our first collection, we were overwhelmed with the generosity of supporters, together with the amount of donations, and we genuinely believed that it was a flash in the pan, and the quantity of donations would gradually decrease over the next few games.”
As match followed match the group continued to be amazed by the level of support from both home and away fans.
Colin added: “The fans have been tremendous since day one, and for many, coming along with a donation is now part of their normal match-day routine. We genuinely cannot thank them enough for their support, which really helps make a difference within our local communities.”
Saints Fans Supporting Foodbanks, through their collections, have now collected over 19,000kg of food, toiletries and other essentials in support of Perth and Kinross Foodbank. In addition to these donations, over £9,300 in cash has been donated in support of Saints in the Community food-based projects.
Commenting on the contribution made by football supporters, Lori Hughes, manager of Perth and Kinross Foodbank, said: “At Perth and Kinross Foodbank, we see first-hand the impact of community kindness, and the commitment shown by St Johnstone Fans Supporting Foodbanks over the past three years has been nothing short of extraordinary.
“One hundred match-day collections represents far more than a number – it reflects unwavering solidarity with local people facing difficult days. The 19,000kg of food and essential items collected, alongside vital financial donations, have helped ensure that households across Perth and Kinross can access support with dignity when they need it most.
“This partnership embodies what it means to stand together as One Club, One City, One Community – and we are deeply grateful to every volunteer and every supporter who has made donating part of their match-day routine.”
Saints in the Community CEO Eric Knox added: “We are incredibly grateful to the Saints Fans Supporting Foodbanks team for their unwavering dedication over the past three years. Their match-day collections not only provide essential support to Perth and Kinross Foodbank, but the funds they raise for the Community Trust also help ensure our food-based projects continue to expand, reaching those who need them most throughout Perth and Kinross.
“While we don’t often highlight this work publicly for understandable reasons, it is continuing to make a meaningful impact with more than 400 meals distributed over the past year alone, greatly appreciated by those in our community.
“We are equally thankful to the St Johnstone supporters and visiting away fans alike, whose generosity at every home match has made a real difference, helping to strengthen our local community and support those in need across Perth and Kinross.”
Colin concluded: “So many people have helped make the collections a success and we have to thank a number of people for that. Everyone at St Johnstone Football Club for their unwavering support from day one. Our own volunteers who turn up at every match, with smiles on their faces, regardless of the weather, to facilitate the collections. And most of all, the fans, who donate, week in, week out, and really help make a difference.”
