Since the launch of the foodbank initiative in October, there have been an incredible 1,800 meal donations made by Leeds United fans at Elland Road.

The food collection van will be back in action on Saturday ahead of kick-off against QPR - and we are hoping this will be the biggest food drive yet!

The club has been working closely with members of the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust who are in close partnership with two local Leeds foodbanks and we are asking supporters attending the game to bring desperately needed food and hygiene items for local families over the festive period.

The food collection point will be located outside the East Stand at Elland Road - next to Bremner Square and the Official Leeds United Store, and will be in place from 1pm to take any cash or food donations.

The club is encouraging fans to bring enough items on Saturday to ensure the foodbanks have enough meals to donate emergency food parcels across the entire festive period at what will be the toughest time of year for some of these families.

The foodbanks are running low on the following essential items: dilute juice, tins of fish/potatoes and vegetables, mash/smash, custard, rice pudding, cereal, tinned tomatoes, pasta sauce, long life fruit juice, coffee, toiletries and female hygiene products. In addition, fans can also make donations of festive products such as mince pies, advent calendars and Christmas cake.

A representative from the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust spoke about the food drive ahead of Saturday and said: “Last year Trussell Trust foodbank gave out 159,388 emergency food parcels during December, their busiest month – with 65,622 of those given to children, so hopefully we will receive plenty of donations ahead of the game against QPR at the weekend.

“Families that are being moved on to universal credit will have no payment before the end of December and so supporters donations could really make the difference to some people having to choose between heating or eating this Christmas.”

Angus Kinnear, CEO at Leeds United Football Club, has commented on the success of the initiative so far and said: "It has been brilliant to see how well the foodbank has been doing at Elland Road, fans and the local community have been really generous with their donations - which we knew they would be.

"We're hoping to do our biggest collection yet on Saturday, this time of year especially is all about people coming together and supporting those who need that little bit of help. A massive thank you to everyone who has shown their support to the initiative so far."