A club night is helping those in need by asking punters to pay in in an unusual way – by donating bags of pasta, tins of food and essentials.

The ‘Food for Thought’ night at Hidden is urging revellers to swap a trip to the cash machine for one to their local shop to buy non-perishable food items for families in need.

All the food collected on the night will then go to Manchester Central Foodbank, and if people do pay in then the cash will also go to the charity.

The night is being run by DJ Rich Reason, who has run bass music night Hit & Run in Manchester for more than a decade.

This is the third time Rich, from Old Trafford, has put on a food for thought night in the last two years. And he says that in the previous events he has managed to collect more than a tonne of food and almost £2,000 in cash to donate to people struggling to live.

Rich said: "A Saturday at Manchester's best new venue came available last minute, so we thought would be great opportunity to put on another Food for Thought night and raise some much needed food and funds for the foodbank.

(Image: Zeyd Ayoob)



"As ever, Manchester's Music scene didn't hesitate to get involved, and once again prove what a fantastic community of artists and punters we have in Manchester.

“Every time we do a Food for Thought night I is a huge success and the Manchester community really get behind us by bringing loads of food.

“People really buy into the idea of helping others by bringing along food and goods and that's great to see.

“We want to help support the increasing numbers of people sleeping rough on the streets, or the families who are struggling to put food on the table due to government cuts. As well as non-perishable food items it would be great if people can bring along toiletries as well.”

On the bill for the night, which will take place this Saturday, May 21 include Skittles, Chunky, Dub Smugglers and Rich himself. Manchester music legend Mark XTC and LEVELZ's Metrodome will also be playing a back-to-back jungle set for the first time ever.

Rich was also one of a number of people that helped coordinate a number of ‘8 Gold Rings’ fundraisers in memory of popular Manchester DJ John Millett, known as Salford John, who was killed with a single punch in 2014.

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They helped raise funds for John’s family and Salford Royal, and recently another successful fundraising night helped raise even more money.

The Food for Thought night takes place on Saturday at Hidden. Early-bird tickets cost £2, normal £4, or you can pay in with four non-perishable food items.

To find out more go to the Facebook page here . Or buy tickets here .