DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC are leading an appeal for the community to get involved and do their bit in supporting the city’s foodbank.

Volunteers have already been recruited and are helping to set up collection points, arranging transport, contacting local businesses for help and raising awareness of the initiative. Pars fans who want to help out with the worthy cause will be able to take food and other items to the stadium or other collection points, as well as making cash donations at the next two home games.

Last Friday at Pitreavie Pars players donned festive headgear and made their personal donations to the appeal alongside first team coach John Potter, Marvyn Stewart from DASC and Margaret Davidson from PST.

Pars chairman, Bob Garmory, said, “We in the Pars Family should spare a thought for those in our community who will not be able to enjoy a merry Christmas because of their circumstances.

“Therefore, our club is proud to play its part in supporting our wider community, and we see this as an opportunity for everyone associated with the Pars to help those worse off than ourselves.” He added that the players, staff and board were all “absolutely delighted” to be involved in supporting the initiative alongside other helpers including the Pars Supporters’ Trust, Dunfermline Athletic Supporters’ Club, the Kincardine Supporters Club, the Centenary Club Lifeline, 1885 Business Club and the Former Players Association.

John Drylie of the Trussell Trust, which operates Dunfermline Foodbank, explained that the appeal goes some way to helping some of the 2856 people that the foodbank has provided food for in the past 12 months, a number which could double over the next year.

“The Pars appeal is a wonderful example of how the community can help our efforts,” he added.

“So on behalf of those who use the foodbank I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at the club.” Whether supporters want to go out and buy items to donate or just rake in their cupboards for items desperately needed such as tins, jars and packets of food, toiletries and cleaning products, everyone is being encouraged to do their bit to pull together and help. A foodbank list can be downloaded at www.dunfermline.foodbank.org.uk to see what is needed most.

Items can be donated at the DASC supporters’ office from 12noon until 2pm, the Pars Car Wash, PST Table on match days or the club shop at East End Park Tuesday to Saturday.

Donations can also be dropped off at Braisby Roofing, Elgin Industrial Estate on 4th and 5th December.