SUPPORT THE PALACE CHRISTMAS FOODBANK DRIVE

What is the Christmas foodbank drive?  

This Christmas, we are asking Palace fans to donate non-perishable goods at collection points at Selhurst Park to help support those in our local community amidst the continuing challenges of the cost of living crisis.  

All items donated by amazing Eagles fans will be distributed to local people via the Norwood and Brixton Foodbank and City Harvest, who are a charity that distributes food to grassroots organisations including children’s programmes, food banks, refuges for women fleeing domestic violence and families fleeing war-torn countries, and other local groups across London welcoming the elderly and isolated.

Alongside any generous food donations, we are raising money for our Made in South London campaign to fund the Palace for Life Holidays, Activities & Food (HAF) programme, which provid es free food and physical activities for children who are on free school meals during the school holidays. Donations can be made here 

I want to donate some food. How can I do that?  

Fans can donate items at Selhurst Park from 20th November up until Palace’s Boxing Day fixture against Fulham.  

On matchdays fans can come by the Fanzone to our Palace for Life collection zone (or main reception) 

On non-matchdays, fans can donate at main reception anytime during the week between the hours of 09:00 and 16:30.  

Matches fans will be able to donate are:  

• Crystal Palace Women vs. Charlton – 20th November  
• Crystal Palace vs. Botafogo – 3rd December 
• Crystal Palace vs. Fulham – 26th December 

What kind of items can I donate?  

Foodbanks will only take longer-life products that they can store for those in need – fresh food can spoil quickly and not all banks have chiller facilities.  

• Cereals 
• Tinned soups and stew 
• Pasta, rice, and pasta sauce 
• Tinned meat and fish
• Tinned beans and vegetables 
• Tinned fruit  
• Condiments and spices 
• Canola and olive oil sprays 
• Broth and stock  
• All-natural juice  

Non-food items are also extremely important – products such as these can prove essential for families who need them:  

• Toiletries – deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand wipes 
• Household items – laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid 
• Feminine products – sanitary towels and tampons 
• Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food 

I don’t live locally, or am unable to visit Selhurst Park, can I still support the campaign?  

Yes! Supporters can donate to our Christmas foodbank drive, which will fund the Palace for Life Holidays, Activities & Food (HAF) programme, which provides free food and physical activities for children who are on free school meals during the school holidays.  

Fans can donate here.  

Why are you doing this?  

As the official charity of Crystal Palace F.C., we are at the heart of the local community and it’s our ambition to support as many people as we can in our area. Unfortunately, foodbanks have reported a surge in demand over recent years, with the number of people receiving three days’ worth of emergency food from the Trussell Trust foodbanks in the UK rising from 25,899 in 2008 to 2,537,198 in 2021.  

South London is one of the most deprived areas in the capital, and foodbanks in London alone, handed out 125,461 emergency food parcels between April and September last year – with the current cost of living crisis causing a sharp rise in the cost of energy, food and other essentials, as well as the £20 cut to Universal Credit last year, means these numbers are likely to only increase. 

So, that’s why we are calling on Palace fans, local people, or anyone who wants to help, to give the gift of food this Christmas to those who need it most. Any donations are extremely welcome.