Northern Ireland

Foodbanks prepare for busiest Christmas period yet

The Trussell Trust has revealed that 6,101 people here were given three-day emergency food supplies during December last year 
The Trussell Trust has revealed that 6,101 people here were given three-day emergency food supplies during December last year  The Trussell Trust has revealed that 6,101 people here were given three-day emergency food supplies during December last year 

A charity which runs foodbanks across Northern Ireland has said it faces its busiest Christmas season ever.

The Trussell Trust has revealed that 6,101 people here were given three-day emergency food supplies during December last year in what was the busiest single month of 2017.

Over the financial year from April 2017 to March 2018 32,433 people in the north used foodbanks.

Across the UK, 159,388 emergency packages were handed out last December with 65,622 of these going to children.

The Trussell Trust’s chief executive Emma Revie said: “Christmas is supposed to be a time for joy but what we’re seeing is the festive period becoming increasingly stressful for more and more people across the country. Our benefits system is supposed protect us all from being swept into poverty – but what we’re seeing is people struggling to heat homes and put food on the table because they simply cannot afford the basics anymore and that just isn’t right.

“We know it doesn’t have to be like this. In the short-term we’re urging the public to donate generously during the first part of December and into the new year, as unfortunately the need for foodbanks is not going to end after Christmas."

Click here to find out how you can donate to a foodbank.

How to get help

The Door of Mercy soup kitchen at St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street in Belfast will be open on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm - 11pm in December while on Christmas Day it will open from 10am - 2pm.

Locations of food banks in Northern Ireland

Trussell Trust Ballymena

Green Pastures, The Peoples Church, Fenaghy Road, Galgorm, Ballymena, BT42 1AQ

Email: info@ballymena.foodbank.org.uk

How to help

Trussell Trust Ballymoney

Unit 10, 41 Ballymena Road, Ballymoney, BT53 7EX

Email: info@ballymoney.foodbank.org.uk

How to help

How to get help

Trussell Trust Bangor

Balloo Crescent, Bangor, Co Down, BT19 7WP

Email: info@bangorNI.foodbank.org.uk

How to help

Trussell Trust Carrickfergus

75 Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, BT38 8PS

Email: info@carrickfergus.foodbank.org.uk

How to help

Trussell Trust Causeway

Causeway Coast Vineyard, 10 Hillmans Way, Ballycastle Road, Coleraine, Derry, BT25 2ED

Email: info@causeway.foodbank.org.uk

How to help

Trussell Trust Craigavon

The Lightwell Centre, Drumgor Heights, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, BT65 5BW

The Beacon, Above Chimes Coffee, Church Street, Portadown, BT62 3LQ

The Hope Centre, 46 High Street, Lurgan, BT66 8AW

Email: info@craigavonfoodbank.com

How to help

Trussell Trust Dundonald

971 Upper Newtownards Road,  Dundonald,  Belfast,  BT16 1RL

Email: info@dundonald.foodbank.org.uk,

How to help

Trussell Trust Larne

Craigyhill Methodist Church, Brustin Brae Road, Larne, BT40 2HS

First Larne Presbyterian Church, Inver Road, Larne, Co. Antrim

Email: info@larne.foodbank.org.uk

How to help

Trussell Trust Lisburn

Old Tone 'n' Ten Building, LCC Community Trust, Graham Gardens, Lisburn, BT28 1XE

GAP Ministries, Eden House, 38 Main Street, Moira, BT67 0LE

Email: info@lisburn.foodbank.org.uk,

How to help

Trussell Trust Newry

Newry Christian Centre, 8 Upper Edward St, Newry, BT35 6AX

Email: info@newry.foodbank.org.uk

How to help

Trussell Trust Newtownards

Thriving Life Church, Compassion Centre, 18c Crawfordsburn Road, Newtownards, BT23 4EA

Kircubbin satellite branch, Room 2, Maxwell Courtyard, Main Street, Kircubbin (beside Mauds ice cream)

Email: info@newtownards.foodbank.org.uk

How to help

Trussell Trust NI Northern Ireland North Belfast food bank

Ekenhead Halls, 19 North Circular Road, Belfast, BT15 5HB

Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 35 Agnes Street, Belfast, BT13 3GG

Email: info@northbelfast.foodbank.org.uk

How to help

Trussell Trust NI Northern Ireland Strabane

5B Church Street, Co. Tyrone, BT82 8BS

Email: strabanecommunityproject@btinternet.com

How to help

Storehouse/Vineyard NI Northern Ireland The StoreHouse

info@storehousebelfast.com

BT1 1NA, 39 North Street, Belfast

Storehouse North Down

info@storehousenorthdown.com

5 Castle Park Road, Bangor BT20 4TF