FOOD banks in Northern Ireland are gearing up to hand out a record number of emergency supplies this Christmas.
Figures show an upturn in the number of people making use of food banks, with charity The Trussell Trust showing 13,851 three-day emergency food supplies were given to people in crisis in the north between April and September this year.
Mark Ward, Interim Chief Executive said: “For many, this Christmas will not be a time for celebration. Every year we see a spike in demand at Christmas but this year food banks are expecting their busiest Christmas ever. At Christmas foodbanks will be working hard to provide not only those regular essentials, like pasta and cereal, but also little extras that offer hope at a time when people need it most. The stories are as inspiring as they are heart-breaking – one mum told us that she was relieved as her daughter’s first Christmas was taken care of with help from the food bank.
“Last December, the public’s generosity meant foodbanks could help thousands of people across the country. But when the festive season is over there will still be people in our communities unable to afford food. Foodbanks rely on donations, which is why we’re asking the public to show that same generosity again, not only this December but in the months that follow Christmas too.”
Locations of food banks in Northern Ireland
Green Pastures, The Peoples Church, Fenaghy Road, Galgorm, Ballymena, BT42 1AQ
Email: info@ballymena.foodbank.org.uk
Unit 10, 41 Ballymena Road, Ballymoney, BT53 7EX
Email: info@ballymoney.foodbank.org.uk
Besom NI Northern Ireland Ballynahinch:
Email: office@ballynahinchbaptist.org
Balloo Crescent, Bangor, Co Down, BT19 7WP
Email: info@bangorNI.foodbank.org.uk
75 Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, BT38 8PS
Email: info@carrickfergus.foodbank.org.uk
Causeway Coast Vineyard, 10 Hillmans Way, Ballycastle Road, Coleraine, Derry, BT25 2ED
Email: info@causeway.foodbank.org.uk
Christian Network NI Northern Ireland Cookstown food bank, Molesworth Street
SVDP NI Northern Ireland Cookstown, Food Bank
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
St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry (Vehicle):
971 Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, Belfast, BT16 1RL
Email: info@dundonald.foodbank.org.uk,
Besom NI Northern Ireland East Belfast:
Tel: 07840 117 138
Email: eastbelfastbesom@googlemail.com
Unit 117a Weavers Court Industrial Estate, Linfield Road Belfast. BT12 5GH
Tel: 028 90332230
Email: fsbelfast@fareshare.org.uk
Craigyhill Methodist Church, Brustin Brae Road, Larne, BT40 2HS
First Larne Presbyterian Church, Inver Road, Larne, Co. Antrim
Email: info@larne.foodbank.org.uk,
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,
Newry Christian Centre, 8 Upper Edward St, Newry, BT35 6AX
Email: info@newry.foodbank.org.uk
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
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
Trussell Trust NI Northern Ireland Strabane
5B Church Street, Co. Tyrone, BT82 8BS
Email: strabanecommunityproject@btinternet.com
Storehouse/Vineyard NI Northern Ireland The StoreHouse
BT1 5DG, 17 Castle Arcade
