Celtic FC Foundation, the charitable arm of Celtic Football Club, has announced a donation of £100,000 to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and has also expanded its feeding initiatives in its own communities by another £100,000.

The overseas funds are intended to support emergency assistance in Gaza where WFP continues to operate. WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

It is estimated that currently 640,000 people in Gaza remain in conditions of famine and 132,000 children are at risk of death through acute malnutrition. The donation aims to address these urgent hunger needs in Gaza, through WFP.

Celtic FC Foundation, which primarily focuses on delivering its own initiatives in communities across Glasgow, London and Ireland, has previously responded to global humanitarian crises in various areas across Africa, Ukraine, Syria, Turkey, Morocco and Mexico.

This allocation aligns with the Club’s origins, which were rooted in addressing poverty and hunger among marginalised communities in Glasgow’s East End.

The Foundation emphasises its commitment to neutrality on political issues while prioritising humanitarian aid, with a focus on practical support for those in need. WFP was selected for its ongoing efforts to provide lifesaving food assistance in Palestine, including the Gaza Strip, where many individuals and families depend on external support for survival.

Additionally, Celtic FC Foundation has allocated another £100,000 to extend its Paradise Pit Stop initiative and invest in existing community partners to provide food for people who cannot make it to Celtic Park. This is on top of the £300,000 per year the Foundation invests in opening Celtic Park to feed people four times per week.

Celtic FC Foundation’s range of other activities include domestic projects such as fuel voucher distributions in Scotland, an annual Christmas appeal aimed at marginalised families and individuals, and community-based health and inclusion projects, alongside significant international outreach work across the USA, Malawi and Zambia.

Celtic makes donation to UN World Food Programme supporting humanitarian assistance in Gaza