Fans stocking festive food bank

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Darlington are asking their fans to help a group of churches stock a community food bank in the run-up to Christmas.

The First Division North club’s officials are hoping supporters will support The Food Store at King’s Church, run in conjunction with Darlington Churches Together, when they host Bamber Bridge on Saturday 14 December.

The community wide project began in February 2012 to provide emergency food resources for anyone in the borough who finds themselves unable to provide food for themselves or their families. As they headed towards promotion in April, fans at a game against West Auckland donated more than 900 items for the churches to distribute to those in need in and around Darlington.

The club are asking fans to bring an item of food again – officials say a tin of beans, soup, peas, fruit or a bag of pasta would be most suitable – and after making such a huge impact the first time around, are hoping to do the same again.

Dave Mills, the club’s Community and Fans Liaison Manager, said: "King’s Church was overwhelmed by the generosity of Darlo fans at the last food bank donations back in April and the food was quickly delivered to families in need. We have designated the Bamber Bridge home game for fans to again donate food so that we can truly make a difference to those in need in time for Christmas."