Foodbank facility to open soon in Ballymoney

According to Ballymoney Borough Council, volunteer training is taking place after which the Foodbank will be open to the public.

A Poverty Co-ordinator post, based in Ballymoney, has been appointed with the aid of funding from the Public Health Agency.

Leah Glass will have responsibility for co-ordinating work in respect of both food and fuel poverty issues and her duties will be spread throughout the Northern Group area.

The formal relationship with the Trussell Trust also provided the opportunity to hold a supermarket collection at the Ballymoney Tesco Store.

This took place on 29th and 30th November which ensured a valuable awareness raising opportunity, whilst enabling over three tonnes of food to be donated to the foodbank.

In turn, Tesco agreed to donate a further 30% to the total amount.

Developments have also been made in relation to the location of the foodbank as premises have been secured at Silversprings Shopping Centre on Market Street.

Work is ongoing at the premises to ensure that the building is fit for purpose and fundraising activities have been undertaken in order to cover the additional costs incurred.

Progress in developing links and raising further awareness has been made through presentations to many churches within the Borough and to the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and the Rotary Club.

It is anticipated that awareness raising will be a key focus over the coming months.

When the Foodbank is up and running, Councillors will be able to assist with awareness raising and also be in a position to inform their constituents about this new service to those in need within the local community.

The Mayor, Councillor John Finlay, commended the work of the Food/Fuel Poverty Strategy Co-ordinator and others working in these roles with Council.

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