Newcastle United co-owner Jamie Reuben’s gesture to match every single home-match-day donation to the NUFC Fans’ Foodbank will continue next season. The renewed move to do so, will ‘make a real difference’ to those in need, says the charity.
The Reuben Foundation has backed the charity since the club was taken over by Jamie alongside Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and the Public Investment Fund. They will continue to do so during the 2022-23 campaign.
Having matched every donation since the group’s very first game - against Tottenham back in October 2021 - and following the final home game of the season against Arsenal, more than £140,000 has been raised between fans and the foundation. Reuben and Ghodoussi visited the foodbank stall outside the stadium before the game with Arsenal and met volunteers to thank them for their hard work.
It’s the second time this season that Reuben has visited the stall - much to the joy of the volunteers who were able to take selfies and shake hands with the 35-year-old. Speaking about the decision to extend his offer of matching the donations, Reuben said: “I am delighted to confirm that we will continue our existing support of the West End Food Bank for next season. We are incredibly grateful to our supporters in this all-important initiative."
The NUFC Fans Foodbank forms part of the West End Foodbank and ensures thousands of people not only across the city of Newcastle but the region do not go hungry. With the cost of living crisis, demand for the foodbank has gone up and the fear is it will continue to do so.
CEO of the West End Foodbank, John McCorry said: “It’s really good news to know the Reuben Foundation will match donations for next season’s home games. This will mean our charity is better able to help the growing number of people in our city facing hardship and struggling to buy food.
“The rising cost of living is hitting households with least the hardest. Newcastle United fans see this and know their donations help to support people across the city in their time of need. Being part of the Newcastle United family is such a privilege, as is the support we’ve received from the Reuben Foundation and Club’s owners.
“It’s great to know that people are keen to help their neighbours and United in their support for the Foodbank.”
