The Fountain Foodbank has been busy providing food parcels to those in Downpatrick and the surrounding area.
Shirley Lennon, Volunteer Coordinator, said: “Thanks to volunteers and donors in the last five months, we have been able to help over 600 people by providing over 260 food parcels. 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.
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Pictured at the launch five months ago were from left, back row, Sarah Shields, Carole Gill, the Rev Owen Patterson, and Connie Macrae, with front row, Karen Campbell, Shirley Lennon, Fountain Foodbank Co-ordinator, Robert Shields and Roger Dunford[/caption]
“The Foodbank is very grateful for donations of food items and money from many individuals and groups. Regular and generous donations have come from the local churches including St Patrick’s, Saul, Down Cathedral, the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. These included donations from Owenbeg Men’s group, Ballykinlar GAC, De la Salle Brothers, Ballygowan, Ardglass, Lissara and Killinchy Presbyterian Churches, Killyleagh Charity shop and Year 10 pupils from Down High School. Local foodbanks including The Foodbank in Ballynahinch, the Pantry in Newcastle, Kilmore and Inch and Newtownards have been very helpful in providing supplies on several occasions when stocks were low. It has been great to see God’s provision in so many different and timely ways.”
Shirley Lennon added: “I would like to thank all donors and volunteers who have made this possible. Fountain Foodbank is a community effort and there’s something special when a community comes together to support each other in times of need. Usually you do not know the specific need and what makes your support more meaningful, is that you are willing to help someone you do not know.”
Super New Donation Point A new permanent donation basket has been created in the Supervalu Store in Ballymote. The Foodbank is very grateful to Supervalu for allowing this. The donation basket is beside the tills in the store and customers are making donations regularly.
ASDA Collections ASDA monthly collections have been a vital way of getting donations for Fountain Foodbank. On average five trolley loads of food have been donated during the collections, making this one of the most important sources of donations. Fountain Foodbank is very grateful to ASDA and its generous customers. The Foodbank is also grateful to Milligan’s Store in Ardglass, who have a permanent donation point that has been a regular source of generous donations too.
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Some of the items donated to Fountain Foodbank… they are short on cooking oil, tinned meats and tinned fruit. [/caption]
The referral system that is in place is working well to ensure those who are in real need are given direct help. Fountain Foodbank currently has had referrals from 19 different partners, showing the diverse range of people who can be helped by a foodbank. The service also allows these partner organisations to focus on the other needs of clients by freeing up finance for other projects.
A support worker for the Simon Community, one of the referring partners, based in a homeless hostel in Downpatrick, providing front line support to those who have become homeless, recently commented, “Since opening, Fountain Foodbank has become a vital service for us and our clients. When a client first moves in, it often takes time to set up their benefits and being able to get a parcel eases their financial pressures. Moreover if a client is getting limited funds per week and they receive an unexpected bill or expenditure the Foodbank is always there to help. To provide the best possible service we cannot work alone. Partnerships such as the Foodbank and Simon Community help to make our communities better places to be and give clients piece of mind.”
A client commented: “If it wasn’t for the Foodbank I am not sure what I 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.”
Donations Needed ( but we’re not keen on beans!) Volunteer coordinator Shirley asked for more help and said: “As Christmas approaches, many local people will experience greater hardship along with the additional pressures the festive season brings. Fountain Foodbank expects levels of requests for help to rise. Please respond generously to this local need. We would be grateful for any donations of suitable non-perishable food or financial donations.
“It is natural that people often buy tinned beans and while they are a useful item, we sometimes have too many. It would be helpful to buy other tinned vegetables instead! The Foodbank often runs short of long life milk, cooking oil, tinned fruit and tinned meats. ”
Please call at the Foodbank on Tuesday or Friday mornings or ring 07444015883 or email:
fountainfoodbank@gmail.com
or visit:
www.downpatrickpresbyterianchurch.org for details.
Permanent donation points are in Supervalu, Downpatrick, local churches, Milligan’s Stores in Ardglass, UPS in Downpatrick.
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