Jim Shannon MP for Strangford has thanked the Food Bank based at Thriving Life Church for their most generous help to the local fishing fleet and their families with food assistance.
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Strangford MP Jim Shannon.[/caption]
Mr Shannon said: “It took three vehicles to carry down to Portavogie – the food pack in a van and Julie Anne Brownlee from Food Bank brought her car and then my own vehicle. The financial difficulties that the fishing sector is labouring under has been exacerbated by the poor weather and high tides.
“Fishing at sea has been almost impossible and with bills for fuel and mortgage to be paid, the pressure has piled on and there has been on an ever growing number of occasions no food on the table for the wife and children. Approaches were made to the Fishermen’s Mission and a list of families in fire need of help was made.
“The Food Bank in Ards stepped up and literally made their warehouse available with volunteers coming in and by 12 noon on Friday the three vehicles filled to the brim and for local fishermen at Portavogie.
“Can I just give a big thank you to the Food Bank in Ards for their willingness to help and to all of the churches and individuals in Ards who give so generously and sacrificially. When we see the plight of some of the people who are receiving the help I know that you truly are making a difference to lives with your giving.
“This is people helping other people with compassion and generosity and it proves that faith in humanity is not displaced – on behalf of those who don’t know who to thank – I say thank you, it is much needed and appreciated.”
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