There is a growing need for food banks in Down

There is a growing need for food banks in Down

20 April 2016

THE use of food banks in Northern Ireland has hit an all time high according to new research and volunteers who man local facilities are encouraging people to continue to support the vital work they do.

Food banks have been set up in Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Newcastle, Kilmore and Inch to help many people across the district who are on the breadline and struggling to make ends meet.

Individuals and families are referred to the cross-community food banks for a variety of reasons including cuts and delays in benefits, family illness or bereavement, pressure on home budgets and sudden emergencies. Those behind the district’s food banks say they continue to be “overwhelmed” by the generosity of people and organisations making donations to help those in need.

Shirley Lennon of the Fountain food bank in Downpatrick said since its launch just over a year ago, it has distributed over 600 food parcels which has helped feed over 1,600 people in the Lecale area.

“All the food banks in the area keep in touch and we are all very supportive of one another and the work we do. We are meeting a clear need and some of the cases are very needy. We have helped many people including those who are ill and who can’t work anymore,” she explained.

“People are referred to us by a number of agencies such as the Simon Community which has referred many for help for a short period of time. The fact we can help allows this particular group to use some of its finance to help people in other ways.”

Shirley said if it wasn’t for the food banks people would struggle, explaining the organisations who refer people for food parcels can free up some finance to provide help in other ways.

“We are amazed by the generosity of the people who support our work. We are amazed by the need in the community of course, but we are equally amazed at people’s generosity in helping us meet that need. People from across the community provide food and financial donations to support our work and we simply cannot thank them enough,” she added.

Tom Courtney, from the Ballynahinch food bank, said it continues to meet a need in the area, but admitted the organisation feels it is not getting to everyone who needs help. He said some people are reluctant to be seen taking charity and are not coming forward.

“Some people are embarrassed to come to us for help, while others we have helped have said they want to repay us when they get back on their feet which of course is not what we do not want them to do,” he said.

“We work alongside a number of charities and organisations who refer people to us as they are best placed to recognise who is in need. We do not preach to anyone who comes to us or ask them their religion. They get food and, if they want, a listening ear and a cup of coffee.”

Mr Courtney encouraged those who have fallen on hard times and in need of help to come forward, praising the Ballynahinch food bank’s donors.

He added: “The people who support us ensure others who are in need do not go hungry. We appreciate so much the help, support and encouragement we receive. The need is still very much out there and we will continue to do all we can to help.”

Mrs Barbara Wilson, of the Kilmore and Inch food bank, which was launched in October 2014, said it was set up after it was revealed a number of people and families in the area were living on the breadline.

“We have helped many people with our area also including Killyleagh and Loughinisland. Many of those we help are referred by a variety of agencies but local knowledge also helps us identify people in need of help,” she explained.

“Clearly, there is still a need to be met and we are so grateful to local people, churches and shops who help us by providing donations which we can then pass on to those who require assistance. People are very generous with their support for what we do.”

Mrs Wilson said people can find themselves struggling to make ends meet through no fault of their own, explaining they could be struggling financially for a variety of reasons.

She added: “The people who refer individuals and families to us know who is need of our help and we are only too glad to offer assistance. It is also important those who provide us with food and other household items continue to do so. If the goods were not coming into us then people in the community would suffer and no one wants to see that. People are so generous with their support and we depend on them to keep going to we can help those in need.”