Can-do Buccs in food plea

Star Buccs Deangelo Isby and Marcus Alipate have a new chant they want canned: literally.

“Buccs fans in the stands, come along and bring a can,” is what the exciting on-court duo have been spruiking off-court this week.

Their call was devised when they were given a tour of the Foodbank Geraldton premises by manager Jamie O’Brien.

The Buccaneers and Foodbank Geraldton have joined forces for the second year to bring a can of food to the game to help Geraldton’s needy. The promotion will be held at the clash with Lakeside Lightning tomorrow night.

“Food is something everybody needs, it’s a basic right, Alipate said. “A lot of my family give up (donate) food at Thanksgiving.”

Recent Geraldton arrival Isby was deep in thought looking at tinned tucker.

“I can relate to this. I grew up on welfare, on government assistance in Chicago. We’ve got to help,” he said.

Last year Buccs stalwart Mat Wundenberg arrived with a bag as big as the one Santa Claus carries, putting countless cans in a bin for donations. So the challenge is out to his teammates — and the fans.

Mr O’Brien said “at least” 18 per cent of West Australians were struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their children.

“In Geraldton alone, we are expecting to distribute more than 188,000 meals to people in need over winter,” he said.