Donation to foodbank

Donation to foodbank

23 May 2018

THE Fountain Foodbank in Downpatrick has been presented with over 250 items by the Life Change, Changes Lives charity, which is based in the town.

The organisation, which provides professional and confidential counselling, mental health and addiction support and suicide intervention, was delighted to support the work of the foodbank.

Life Change, Changes Lives helps minimise social isolation, encourages wellness and recovery and family support and also provides opportunities and support for people with a variety of problems, including giving new life to old furniture through the very successful Pop Up Art initiative.

Last week, Janet Smith and Kieran Casement from the charity delivered over 250 food items to Fountain Foodbank volunteers Marian Magee and Paul Connolly.

The items were collected at the charity’s official donation point at its Market Street base, with the foodbank volunteers pleased with the generous donation.

The presentation of the items came shortly after it was revealed that the local foodbank has secured the support of another major retailer.

Asda recently confirmed it is to provide the cross-community charity with a dedicated collection point at its Ballydugan retail park store to help the organisation with its distribution of food parcels to those in need.

SuperValu already provides a dedicated collection point at its Ballymote store in Downpatrick with another one at Milligan’s shop in Ardglass. Churches, individuals, schools and other organisations also make valuable contributions to the foodbank at Downpatrick Presbyterian Church.

Those behind the initiative are delighted Asda has weighed in with its support for the vital work it carries out. A formal launch of the new dedicated collection point at the Asda store is scheduled to take place this Saturday.

People can be referred to the foodbank for a variety of reasons, including cuts and delays in benefits, family illness or bereavement, pressure on home budgets and sudden emergencies.

Donations can be left at the Fountain Foodbank on Tuesday or Friday mornings. The contact number is 07444 015883 or email fountainfoodbank@gmail.com.