Children hand over donations to foodbank

Children hand over donations to foodbank

26 October 2016

THE Fountain Foodbank in Downpatrick which has helped hundreds of families across the district since its launch last year, has received welcome donations from two local primary schools.

St Colmcille’s PS and Downpatrick Primary recently handed over donations which will help families struggling to makes ends meet in the town and wider Lecale area.

The cross-community organisation — staffed by committed volunteers — is meeting an increasing need, with those behind the foodbank overwhelmed by the generosity of the community in supporting the work they do via food and financial donations.

Pupils, staff and the Parent Teacher Association at St Colmcille’s Primary School recently organised a collection for the foodbank, while pupils at Downpatrick Primary collected items during their Harvest celebrations which were handed over to volunteer Dominic Breen to be distributed to local families. Dominic also spoke to the children about the work of the foodbank.

Ann Millar, another of the foodbank’s volunteers and one of the organisation’s team leaders, met recently with staff and pupils at St Colmcille’s when she visited the Killough Road school to thank them for their generosity in thinking of others in this way.  

The school’s The PTA helped organise the collection and were impressed by the enthusiasm of the children about the project. 

The Fountain Foodbank, which is based at the town’s Presbyterian Church, has been busy providing food parcels to those in Downpatrick and the surrounding area since it opened in Mach last year. To date, it has helped over 2,000 people by providing 900 food parcels.

The volunteers say there is “clearly a real need” in Downpatrick with clients being referred for a variety of reasons from cuts and delays in benefits, to family illness or bereavement, pressure on budgets due to school holidays and sudden emergencies. 

People from all walks of life and backgrounds are involved with the foodbank which helps struggling families and individuals who find themselves in need, quite often, through no fault of their own. No one who comes for help is judged with the volunteers pleased to be able to help others less fortunate than themselves.

While the large majority of those who have been helped with food parcels live in Downpatrick, others in Ardglass, Killough, Clough and Killyleagh are grateful for the support they have received.

Volunteers say there is a clear demand for the service they provide while one of their clients insists that had it not been for the foodbank, they are not sure what they would have done.

“They always help and offer me support. I am met by people who really want to help me and help the community. I am extremely grateful to all the volunteers,” said one client.

The foodbank’s volunteer co-ordinator, Shirley Lennon, said the organisation is a community effort.

“There’s something special when a community comes together to support each other in times of need. It has been great to see God’s provision in so many different and timely ways,” she continued. 

Shirley added: “I am sure the pupils at St Colmcille’s and Downpatrick learned much about helping others through this project. Thank you to them all.”

Donations can be left at the Fountain Foodbank on Tuesday or Friday mornings. The contact numbers are 07444 015883 or email fountainfoodbank@gmail.com or visit www.downpatrickpresbyterianchurch.org. Permanent donation points are in SuperValu, Downpatrick, local churches and Milligan’s Stores, Ardglass.