LETTERKENNY’S food bank is facing its busiest Christmas since its inception, with cost of living pressures on families and the increase of refugees with children fuelling demand.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) with We Care Food Bank, Fintan McGrath said the number of people it is supporting is “significantly up on last year”.
He said while he couldn’t put an exact figure on the numbers, Mr McGrath said the rise was a “double digit percentage”.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr McGrath said that while there will be need on Letterkenny’s food bank this Christmas, he said they were “prepared”.
“The number of people we are supporting is up significantly on last year. It has gone up by a double digit percentage,” he said.
“This will be our busiest Christmas since the inception of We Care Letterkenny. We are seeing a big number of refugees with children from all over Europe.
“It’s going to be our busiest Christmas ever but we are prepared, ready and well stocked for Christmas this year, thanks to the generosity of people.
As we are supporting a large number of children and families, we would appeal for selection boxes for children and non-perishable foods such as tea, coffee, tinned fish. We have financial donations we can use to buy vouchers for local butchers.”
Mr McGrath urged anyone who can donate items to think about food banks in other parts of the county that are a part of Donegal Food Response Network.
These include Árainn Mhóir, (074) 9520024; MHA/Cloughaneely Food Bank, 0833489749; Mustard Seed, Donegal Town, 0879781519; Donegal Family Resource Centre, 074 9725337; CDP Na Rosann, Dungloe, 0879615775; Finn Valley Family Resource Centre, 074 9131245; Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Gaoth Dobhair, 074 9532949; Raphoe Family Resource Centre, 074 9145796; An Mhacaire Le Chéile, 074 9522724; Cara House Family Resource Centre, Letterkenny, 0861223029 and The Doorway Project, 0867831376.
difficult
Mr McGrath said he forecasts a difficult January and February for Letterkenny’s food bank.
“The problem we will face is in the New Year. The months of January and February are very difficult for people. It is when householders get in their electricity bills and post-Christmas bills.
“This, on top of the sustained rise in the cost of living, will make the first few months very hard for many families.”
We Care Letterkenny food bank is open every Tuesday and Friday from 12 noon to 2pm. It will be open on Friday, December 23 for anyone in need or anyone wishing to make a donation.
Donation drop off points are also at Solo and Letterkenny Community Centre.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)