Antwerp will accept FOOD for entry this Saturday night

Antwerp will be accepting food for entry at this Saturday’s Hit & Run with donations going to food banks across Manchester.

Money will also still be accepted as normal with cash donations also being made to charities across the city.

As well as Antwerp staff and officials, representatives for the food banks are excepted to be at Antwerp on the night to help collect the food donated on the door.

The idea was thought up by DJ Rich Reason, who has been running the popular Hit & Run night for the past nine years, and he will also be heading up the line up for the event alongside a number of Manchester’s finest acts including Chimpo, Skittles and Tonn Piper. In the spirit of the event all the acts will be playing the night for free.

Talking to The Tab, Rich Reason said: “I try to do a couple of Charity events per annum.

“Like most people, I’ve been shocked by the exponential increase of Foodbank usage in the UK, and wanted to do something for them; and thought of instead of donating money, we could go the even more direct approach of collecting food that can be distributed by their network of food banks across Greater Manchester.”

DJ Rich Reason, the man behind the night

The DJ has told those turning up this weekend that they can still pay £4 on the door or can instead bring four food items that will last for a few weeks and don’t need to be refrigerated.

He told The Tab: “I know a lot of people are looking forward to the novelty of paying into a nightclub with some tins of beans rather than pennies.

“I am aiming to have enough food to stock a supermarket by the end of it!”

Valid forms of payment

He has also praised the unity of the acts contributing to the night: “Every time I organise an event like this, I know there is no question that those friends of mine in the scene will be more than happy to contribute their time and talents for free if they are available and I ask them.

“I don’t know if they are especially more generous than other scenes in other cities, but it certainly feels like it.

“As the demand for [food banks] keeps rising, they are always looking for more volunteers. If you would like to be involved either come down to the night and introduce yourself to some of their staff, or email [email protected]”

3rd year Charlie, an Antwerp regular throughout his time as a student in Manchester, responded to the idea of the charitable night, saying: “This does not do the acts and organisers justice for what they do on a regular basis, not only for the student population in Manchester but also the wider community.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea.”