Foodback appeal draws generpus response

Stewart Dickson MLA, Anne Ritchie, Alex Moore, Gwen Smyth, Daryl Lockrin, and Janet Douglas at the fundraising day. INCT 27-741-CON

The Trussell Trust distribution centre, based at Jordan Victory Church on Woodburn Road, opened its doors last spring.

Run by volunteers from JVC and Vineyard Church, the service is designed to help people who are struggling to feed themselves and their families.

Some 1.4 tonnes of food and £733 was donated during the collection days at Carrickfergus Tesco earlier this month.

Gwen Smyth from the foodbank team said: “In the last year, the foodbank fed 603 people (340 adults and 263 children).

“We would like to thank Carrickfergus Tesco and all their staff for allowing us to collect in their store. Also, a huge thank you to all the people of Carrickfergus for their generosity and of course our volunteers who give of their free time to serve the community.”

Praising the response to the appeal was East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson. “I am a great supporter of this charity and the Trussell Trust, which provides support to more than one million people, including 400,000 children,” he said.

“It was tremendous to see such a big foodbank team at Tesco and observe customers giving so generously.”

For more information on the foodbank call 02893 438475 or for frequent updates like the Facebook page ‘Carrickfergus Foodbank’.

The foodbank also has a permanent food collection box in Carrickfergus Tesco for those who still wish to donate.