A foodbank has seen the kindness of the Newcastle people first-hand after generous Geordies ensured people would not go without food and essentials during the World Cup.
With the men's FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar, crowds at St James' Park have so far been limited to one women's fixture which saw the Magpies Lasses take on Barnsley in the Vitality Women's FA Cup, in the past month.
Naturally, concerns arose surrounding how NUFC Fans Food Bank, which relies heavily on donations during matchdays, would be able to assist the most vulnerable people on Tyneside without regular Premier League fixtures in front of the usual 52,000 faithful at St James' Park.
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The foodbank usually makes around £5,000 in donations at home games and the figure is matched by club co-owner Jamie Reuben.
The collection stall is usually found on just a stone's throw from St James' Park at Strawberry Place, where cash donations and food for the West End Food Bank are accepted.
Thankfully, however, NUFC Fans Food Bank has still been able to assist with helping the most vulnerable in our region in spite of the lack of Premier League fixtures over the past month- all thanks to the 'generosity' of supporters.
And last night the club announced a £150,000 donation to the West End Food Bank while the foundation is opening its doors at its recently-opened headquarters, NUCASTLE as a warm space.
Volunteer Bill Corcoran described how supporters came together during the past month to ensure that donations were still made with many dropping off things at Newcastle West End Foodbank as well as donating at the Newcastle United Women's FA Cup game versus Barnsley.
NUFC Food Bank had asked crowds if they were able to donate feminine hygiene products such as tampons ahead of the fixture.
He explained: "We've not been completely hamstrung by the World Cup and thankfully the Women's team game at St James' really helped us out as I'm sure the friendly will also.
"By the grace of God, we've also got a League Cup game against Bournemouth to come so all these things will make a big difference to help us to help people out.
"We've been able to cope because of the generosity of the fans. The supporters going to the women's match was a bonus.
"We got over £1000 during and things like toiletries as well as advent calendars which make a massive difference for people.
"Even though the matches weren't on, people were dropping things off at the West End Food Bank and we've also had a lot of help from places like the Grainger Market and Newcastle East End Pool."
He says that the unity of football fans during times of hardship and crisis is so often apparent and that the efforts of supporters to ensure that people have not gone without during the World Cup have been 'inspirational'.
"I think there's a great amount of recognition out there that football clubs are the hubs of our communities, they represent cities in a way that nothing else can. No politician can represent a city like a football club.
"One thing we can say is the fans of Newcastle United and teams across our country, as there are 45 foodbanks around the country, have carried on collecting throughout this World Cup and it is truly inspirational.
"We always say, we shouldn't have to applaud the generosity of the people as it shouldn't be necessary but it is unfortunately- so we do.
"I'll be looking forward to seeing our friends and family and the crowd as well as being with the foodbank from 10am on Saturday because of the contribution of the club and the fans.
"It's incredible, especially when you consider that donations to supermarkets are currently 50% down which is only natural as people are skint."
With a friendly game arranged for Saturday against Spanish side Rayo Vallecano as well as a League Cup game against Bournemouth the following Tuesday, Mr Corcoran hopes that the donations will be strong again over the next week.
He feels that the cold temperatures at the moment will really serve as a reminder of what the most vulnerable in our region are currently experiencing.
He said: "The truth has been, over the past six years, every time the people have been called upon to help, they've always been there.
"We can only thank them from the depths of our most humble hearts for their generosity and I think what we'll see on Saturday and then the game against Bournemouth in the League Cup the following Tuesday is that recognition that it's cold out there and if you've ever needed food in your belly, it's now.
"If you've ever needed bread with your stew, it's now. If people are going through having a cold house, you need a warm belly to get through that. We football fans who sit outside during games know how cold it is as well as anyone and so I think we'll see that reaction."
Over the coming weeks, the NUFC Foodbank is looking to extend its fundraising efforts to an auction which features such items as a short from Ed Sheeran from a gig he played and a flag signed by Sam Fender.
For Mr Corcoran, however, there is no doubt that the challenges of the winter are only at the 'end of the beginning'.
"We're looking to have an auction over the Christmas and New Year period. We've got some great gear such as a shirt from Ed Sheeran from a gig he played and a flag signed by Sam Fender so we've got some fairly historic things.
"But, after all, we're in the early stages of the winter and we'll have to see how it goes but we're at the end of the beginning really as opposed to the beginning of the end.
"It's the privilege of my life to be associated with NUFC Foodbank but we shouldn't have to do it. We never cease to repeat that we hope things change in this country so foodbanks can cease to exist.
"The truth is, people will get their calorific intake when they come to a foodbank but at times like this, we need to give a bit more and hopefully this is the sort of thing that allows us to do that."
As we head into the period Christmas and New Year, he has now called on Newcastle United supporters to keep up their generosity.
He added: "We're privileged as this is one of those things that unifies the fans. It's something everybody supports. It is a struggle to keep people fed but football's one of those things that lifts people's hearts.
"The words are 'Newcastle United' after all. We might all have different backgrounds but we are united. There are plenty of reasons to fall out in this world but this is what keeps us together.
"It shows what football can do for the good of the community and this is just another example of that. We'd just like to thank everyone at Christmas from the bottom of our hearts.
"The donations make a massive difference and put a smile on people's faces. They put a smile on mother's faces and children's faces.
"There will be better days ahead but we will remember these days."
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