Newcastle food bank has helped thousands in need

Newcastle food bank has helped thousands in need

8 July 2015

ALMOST 6,000 meals have been provided to members of the public since a Newcastle food bank was launched in September.

The Pantry Food Bank is one of four in Down District and one of many which have been established as a result of the austerity agenda being imposed by the government.

Although the Pantry Food Bank has been operating since September, it was officially launched at it’s  annual general meeting in Newcastle Centre on Thursday night.

Among those present was Newry Mourne and Down Council chairwoman, Naomi Bailie, who paid tribute to the organisation for the hard work and dedication and also to the local clergy for their role in bringing the communities together.

She thanked partners, County Down Rural Community Network and the Public Health Agency for their support and financial contributions. 

She was encouraged that The Pantry Food Bank was embraced and supported by all members of the community and wished it every success.  

Terry Nelson, Chairman of The Pantry Food Bank, reported on the development of the food bank and assured those present that the attitude that it only exists to provide food for “benefit scroungers” could not be farther from the truth.  

“Through going through referral agencies this risk is minimised and helps to ensure that only those in real need receive the help,” he said.  To date The Pantry has provided 5922 meals since we opened last September.  

“The Pantry Food Bank is supported by churches, community organisations, charities, businesses and individuals and the support received has shown the generosity of our community,” added Mr Nelson. 

He thanked everyone involved in the Food Bank, notably the referral agencies and Tesco Newcastle and the Barbican without whom The Pantry Food Bank would struggle. 

“The mission statement of ‘With God’s help, together we can make a difference’ is threefold,” continued Mr Nelson  “It is God helping us, us helping each other and through that we are helping our community.” 

In her address to launch The Pantry Food Bank, Barbara Porter, the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Health Improvement Senior Officer, said whilst food banks can’t solve all the problems they are there to help where most needed, when most needed.  It is a good vehicle for services to signpost people to but also where the food Bank can signpost people to services.  

She congratulated those behind the The Pantry Food Bank on how well they had done in a short time.  The PHA recognises that it has an important role to play in trying to reach the most vulnerable which it does through the Poverty Forum by putting needs of food banks on the table.  

Sharon Wright, Pantry coordinator, presented the volunteers present with a certificate as a small recognition of their invaluable work behind the scenes.  In his closing remarks Terry Nelson thanked everyone for coming.  

Shirley Lennon from The Fountain Food Bank in Downpatrick, Nicholas McCrickard from County Down Rural Community Network and Canon Ian Ellis from St John’s Church of Ireland expressed their appreciation for an exceptional service to the community”.

Donations can be made to The Pantry Food Bank on Mondays and Thursdays from 2-4pm. The food bank can be contacted on 07517 766006 or email:thepantryfoodbank@gmail.com