The food bank is open for pre-arranged appointments on Wednesday between 12:00 and 14:00. If you have a referral please call the coordinator on Tuesday 14:30-17:30 to arrange a slot for you to collect your food parcel in person on Wednesday.
History
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…”
Matthew 25.35
The Food Bank was formed by members of two local Christian churches, St George's RC Church and St Peter's. The aim was to support locals in the community who were in food poverty or crisis situations by directly putting the gospel message into action, to love our neighbour as he had loved us.
"On the 10th of December 2014 we opened our doors. That was a great day. It was the day two Christian churches opened their doors and hearts to their local community."
- Colm Lennon, Former food bank Chair.
The Food Bank has gone from strength to strength since opening. We have gone from supporting three households a week to an average of thirty; up to 150 people each week receive tinned consumables, toiletries, store cupboard items and fresh fruit and veg from the food bank.
In early 2017, following successful funding bids, we were able to employ our first full member of staff, a part-time coordinator. We also gained official charity status!
Our volunteer pool has also expanded beyond the two original churches and we now welcome volunteers from across the local community and beyond, from all denominations and backgrounds.
Aims
What
The main aim of the food bank is to provide food and essential toiletries to individuals and families who find themselves in crisis in urgent situations.
We are only designed as short-term support, for 6 visits.
Why
We want to help people to have access to regular and substantial meals. We are able to offer tinned and dried food and also fresh fruit and vegetables.
How
We are here not just to provide food, but also to support the person as a whole and this includes healthy living and being resourceful.
We encourage clients to work with support services such as Money Advice Plus, to address the reasons for their food poverty and work towards a solution.
Testimonial
We aim to provide a welcoming a non-judgemental space for people coming to use the food bank and to understand the myriad reasons someone may end up in food poverty.
Below is a clients' experience in their own words.
"The first time I walked in to the food bank was with my partner. We’d just moved in together and because of a mistake by the benefits office we were only getting money for one of us. We were pretty desperate at the time as we were estranged from our families so had nowhere else to turn. When we walked in we were met by Zoe’s beaming smile. I think that first week I just sat there and let my partner do most of the talking as I was on the verge of tears the whole time. I cried most weeks that we went to the food bank mostly from relief but also because I couldn’t believe there were people who were so willing to help us. Everyone I spoke to had a welcoming smile and just seemed to care about us even though they didn’t know us. When both our benefits were finally reinstated we were almost sad about not having our weekly trip across the road to see the lovely volunteers at the food bank. "