The Canaries Trust in co-operation with Norwich Foodbank and Norwich City Football Club will once again be organising a collection of food items before Norwich City’s home game against Sheffield United on April 1. 

This will be the Trust’s third annual event in support of the local Foodbank and comes at a time when a record number of people are relying on foodbanks to supplement their resources as the cost of living continues to rise. 

Last week the Department for Work and Pensions reported that in the year to March 2022 3pc of families (at least 2.1 million people) used foodbanks, with that figure rising to 11pc for families reliant on state income related benefits. 

Trust chairman, Robin Sainty, said: “We’re delighted to be making another collection because we know how generous City fans have been in the past.  

“The club have been extremely helpful in getting this set up and we also look forward to working with Norwich Foodbank once again, as well as City Elite who are kindly providing help with the collection and this will hopefully encourage younger fans to get involved.” 

The Foodbank has issued a list of the items that they currently need most, and these are:  Instant Mash, Tinned Vegetables, Individual cereal portions, Long life Milk, Long life fruit juice, Sweets/chocolates, Shampoo, Shower Gel.

There will be two donation drop-off points at the ground before the game. The first of these is near the club shop and the second is near the entrance to Top of the Terrace.

Laurie Egan, who has organised the event on behalf of the Canaries Trust, said: “Please bring a donation if you can and come and say hello, we’d love to see you!  

“There will also be a donation point in the entrance to Morrisons staffed by Foodbank volunteers.” 

The collection points at the ground will be open from approximately 1pm until 2.45pm.