Squeeze have asked fans attending their Newcastle City Hall show on Monday, October 16, to bring food donations for anti-poverty charity Trussell and its network of food banks. The request comes as the band prepares to launch their Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour, with Billy Bragg joining as special guest.
Eight Years of Supporting Trussell
The band, led by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, has partnered with Trussell for eight years. Collection points will be set up at venues, where concertgoers can donate non-perishable food items or make financial contributions to support local food banks.
Glenn Tilbrook first began collecting for Trussell during his solo shows in 2018, and Squeeze later embraced the cause on their tours. To date, fans have donated 5.15 tons of food and raised £72,552 for the food banks.
Band Members Call for Support
Tilbrook said: "When I first started collecting for food banks back in 2018, I had no idea how much our fans would take it to heart. The response has been overwhelming, and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together."
He added: "But it's deeply troubling that, eight years later, so many people are still struggling to put food on the table. The need hasn't gone away, and neither has our determination to help."
Difford said: "Our fans have been absolutely incredible in the way they've supported Trussell over the years. It's genuinely moving to see people arriving at our shows carrying bags of food, knowing that what they've brought will help someone in the local community."
Donations and Tour Details
Suggested donation items include tinned vegetables, fruit, meat and fish, soup, beans and pulses, pasta, rice, cereal, pasta sauces, tinned tomatoes, long-life milk, fruit juice, tea, coffee and biscuits, as well as toiletries and hygiene products. Monetary donations will also be accepted, and fans are encouraged to check what their local food bank needs most.
Emma Revie, co-chief executive of Trussell, said: "Too many people this winter will be struggling to make ends meet, as families are forced to make impossible decisions like whether to put food on the table or turn their heating on."
She added: "Shockingly, we expect our community of food banks to distribute around 600,000 emergency food parcels to people facing hunger and hardship this winter."
Squeeze has also pledged £1 from every ticket sold on the UK tour to support grassroots music venues, artists and promoters. The tour celebrates the release of Trixies, the band's first studio album in eight years, and will feature classics including 'Up The Junction', 'Cool For Cats', 'Tempted', 'Another Nail In My Heart', and 'Labelled With Love'.
