Fountain Foodbank Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

Fountain Foodbank marks tenth Anniversary of helping the needy in the Downpatrick area

Fountain Foodbank has been operating for ten years within the local Downpatrick community located at the Presbyterian Church in Fountain Street in Downpatrick.

Although the need for a foodbank is not something to celebrate, Fountain Foodbank wanted to acknowledge the amazing contribution of its volunteers to its work over the past decade.

The volunteer-led, Christian charity supports families and individuals facing challenging times across Downpatrick and the surrounding area.

A special recognition event was held on Tuesday 3^rd June in the Wild Tipi at Finnebrogue Woods to give the volunteers a treat for all their hours of work and dedication to the organisation.

Many of the volunteers have been helping since the foodbank opened in March 2015. The organisation is run totally by committed volunteers, and they make a huge contribution to the practical operation of the foodbank.

They collect food from donation points, sort and stock shelves, pack food parcels and do deliveries. They also provide support and a listening ear to clients who come to the foodbank and their compassion is much appreciated by those who visit.

 The recognition event was funded by a generous grant from the Asda Foundation.

 The grant is part of over £60,000 of funding that will be awarded to community groups across the UK from the Asda Foundation in celebration of Asda’s 60th Birthday.

Asda Downpatrick Community and Customer Champion Linda Owens, said: “The team at Fountain Foodbank are over the moon with the £1,000 grant from the Asda Foundation after the nomination from the Downpatrick store.

“The work they do makes such a huge difference to people in the area, and their compassionate approach is inspiring. Knowing how much effort they put into what they do, they are absolutely deserving of a special event to celebrate their achievements.’

Shirley Lennon, Volunteer Coordinator at Fountain Foodbank: said: “We are hugely grateful to the Asda Foundation for awarding us this grant which means we will be able to say a special thank you to all our volunteers who do such wonderful job for people in the area in need of a little extra support.

“The Asda Foundation grant has come at a fantastic time for us, as we mark 10 years since Fountain Foodbank started out, and gives us a chance to get together with partner organisations and charities who support our all-important referral system.

“Thank also to generosity from Finnebrogue Woods the event is being held in the beautiful surroundings of The Wild Tipi with catering being provided at much reduced cost.

“In what was one of the first events for the new Deputy Chair of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Cllr Geraldine Kearns gave a short address thanking all who support Fountain Foodbank.

“The event was held during Volunteers Week and was a great opportunity to recognise the significant contribution made by the volunteers in Fountain Foodbank.”