LETTERKENNY’S food bank is encouraging people to seek assistance rather than go hungry.

The charity made the call yesterday as more and more households feel the pinch from rising costs.

In 2021 We Care LK Food Bank handed out close to 4,000 parcels – more than double the assistance that was being provided prior to the pandemic.

“Before the pandemic it would have been a lot less. Things have skyrocketed since the outbreak of Covid,” said volunteer and public relations officer Fintan McGrath.

According to an industry survey conducted last month the price of staples such as bread, milk, butter and pasta have risen by between ten and 30 per-cent since December.

“Everything is rising in price and the people who come to us are either on the borderline or below the borderline so they will definitely be feeling it,” Mr McGrath said.

We Care LK is run by 14 volunteers. Much of what the food bank provides comes from public donations, individuals adding an extra item to their weekly shop or from businesses. That aid has not dipped despite the rising costs.

The ‘FoodCloud’ is also a huge help, items handed over by multi-national firms such as Aldi, Lidl and Tesco. Separately Marks and Spencer provides a vast amount of goods.

Food bank treasurer Hugh Sweeney said generosity was what kept the charity going. And if there is an increase in need, it will be met.

“Whatever the need is, we are here to help out,” Mr Sweeney said.

“It has been busy here for the past two years but if we get more people coming in as the cost of living goes up then we will do what is necessary and find what is needed.”

Another source of aid to spring from the pandemic has been the Donegal Food Response Network. Set up with the help of Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC), the network is a collective of 27 charities, agencies and individuals helping people in their own areas. Operating under the banner of ‘No-one Should Ever Go Hungry’, it is providing assistance north, south, east and west of the county, including on some of the islands.

“It’s just good people trying to help out,” Fintan McGrath said.

The only details anyone is asked for when they approach the food bank is their name, address, age and the number of people in the household.

“No one will be turned away and in fact we would encourage anyone who is struggling to come and see us. A great thing about us is our location, we are in a very discreet area here,” Hugh Sweeney added.

While donations remain strong, there is one thing the food bank does need help with.

“Our van is clapped out and we would love to hear from anyone who might be willing to sponsor us a second hand one. It is something we desperately need at the moment,” said Fintan McGrath.

“Putting fuel in the van is probably our biggest expense but we do try and put every cent possible towards providing food.

“The way we look at it we would prefer not to be in business at all but the way things are going the food bank will be here for a very long time.”