The charity wants to form “a lasting partnership” with the foundation set up in Dan’s name
11:42, 10 Dec 2025Updated 13:54, 10 Dec 2025
Dave Kelly, founder of Fans Supporting Foodbanks, at the newly-named Dan Kay Foundation pantry (Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Fans Supporting Foodbanks have named one of their Liverpool food pantries The Dan Kay Foundation Food Pantry in honour of the late campaigning journalist.
The charity wanted to recognise the support they received from Dan and form a lasting partnership with the foundation set up in his name. Fans Supporting Foodbanks and The Dan Kay Foundation share a common aim to spread kindness, tackle stigma around mental health and reach out to those in our community who feel left behind or need both practical and emotional support.
The launch day of the Day Kay Foundation Food Pantry, in Walton, saw service users offered a free shop to mark the occasion and pay tribute to the popular journalist and Hillsborough campaigner who died in May 2023.
Dave Kelly, founder of Fans Supporting Foodbanks, with the Dan Kay Foundation Pantry banner (Pic Andrew Teebay)(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Fans Supporting Foodbanks chair and co-founder Dave Kelly said: “We run eight food pantries across Liverpool and the other seven operate in conjunction with local community groups and have a name and identity. Walton didn’t have that.
“We approached the Dan Kay Foundation with the idea as we thought it would not only be a lasting tribute to someone who was a great supporter of our work but also a way to form a lasting and effective partnership to benefit our volunteers and pantry users. We look forward to working with the foundation to help spread a message of kindness and understanding and to help people who need support.”
Dan’s cousin Amos Waldman, who is chair and co-founder of the Dan Kay Foundation, said: “The Dan Kay Foundation was humbled to hear that this pantry was to be named after us.
Former Liverpool Echo journalist and Hillsborough campaigner Dan Kay
“Fans Supporting Foodbanks is a charity Dan had a strong affinity with, combining his love of Liverpool, Everton and their fans, and his strong desire to help those in need of support. We are delighted to continue to work with, and raise funds for, FSF in the knowledge that the funds will be used where they are needed so much. And we love the banner (featuring the names of both organisations) too.”
The two organisations came together last month for a course on suicide prevention with volunteers joining a session facilitated by Tough To Talk.
Fans Supporting Foodbanks was founded by Everton supporters Dave Kelly and Robbie Daniels and Liverpool fan and West Derby MP Ian Byrne ten years ago. The charity organises collections on match days which are then distributed at food pantries.
Liverpool supporter Paul Khan joined the management team in 2020, and the charity has now established a formal board of trustees and continues to unite football fans in the fight against food poverty across the region.
At the food pantries, service users pay a small fee and are then able to select items from a market style facility, including fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.
Dave Kelly and volunteers from Fans Supporting Foodbanks with the Dan Kay Foundation Pantry banner (Pic Andrew Teebay)(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The Dan Kay Foundation pantry takes place every Thursday morning in the car park of Iceland in Walton Road from 9.30am.
Dave Kelly added: “The pantries have a nice atmosphere and our aim is to give people the dignity they deserve.
“We also have a large group of volunteers without who we wouldn’t be able to deliver the service. We are really proud of what we do but ultimately our aim is not to exist, for people not to need us. But while they do, we will be here.
“We hope this new partnership will strengthen our message of kindness and understanding and we look forward to working together.”