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Mustard Tree needs help - bring spare food to Ilkeston game

FC United is appealing for supporters to bring non-perishable food to the home game against Ilkeston on Saturday 23 February to help out long-standing charity partners, Mustard Tree, who are need due to a significant rise in the number of food parcels it gives out.

Like many small charities, Mustard Tree, who FC United has helped with its annual Big Coat Day, is facing a very challenging year ahead. The demand and need for the charity’s services, together with the cost of providing them, has increased substantially but its income remains at best static and in some cases, is likely to reduce.

To give just one example of the challenges the charity faces, in November 2011 it gave out 90 food parcels. In November 2012, using the same criteria, they gave out 195. Soraya Sheikh, project coordinator at the Mustard Tree, said: “In January alone this year, we provided 211 food parcels! As a result in this increase in demand, our food store is depleting and we risk running out of food in the near future. In the past, FC United’s fans have come to Mustard Tree’s rescue by generously donating winter clothing and we’re excited that they are responding again.???

Mustard Tree relies on donated food to provide their food parcel service and with stocks running very low, they are in real need at the moment. Supporters with any donations of tinned food, rice, pasta or other dried goods should bring them along to the Ilkeston home game on 23 February, where they can be handed in at the Mustard Tree van just near the membership stall at Gigg Lane. All donations will be put to good use and will make a real difference to someone in need.


First Posted ~ 22:16 Wed 20 Feb 2013
News ID ~ 4741
Last Updated ~ 00:47 Tue 16 Feb 2021