Cost of living crisis: 25 food banks operating across Northern Ireland
By Conor McAteer
Published 30th Sep 2022, 13:18 BST
The cost of living crisis is taking its toll on several families within Northern Ireland, not excluding those who believed they were financially stable.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly a fifth of the population, including over 100,000 children, lived below the poverty line.
There’s no denying the recent spike in food and fuel prices has had a detrimental effect on those already struggling, and the fact that 1-in-14 households have an inability to access enough varied food for a healthy lifestyle, the importance of foodbanks to aid the most deprived families and individuals has never been greater.
Recent research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has identified that households will typically need to spend between 24% and 46% of their income on a food basket that only contains the minimum healthy essential foodstuffs.
In an attempt to put an end to the turmoil, food banks across Northern Ireland are playing pivotal roles in attempting to alleviate the food crisis, offering vital items to those who need them most.
Here are 25 food banks in operation across the country:
Recent research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has identified that households will typically need to spend between 24% and 46% of their income on a food basket that only contains the minimum healthy essential foodstuffs.
13. Larne Food Bank
Larne Food Bank is on Brustin Brae Road, Larne.
The Larne Food Bank opened in 2013 and in the past year, donated 21.515 tonnes of food to people in need. The Food Bank works closely with agencies such as Christians Against Poverty (CAP) to help individuals who have run into financial difficulties, as well as around forty churches and organisations who issue vouchers. Opening hours: Tuesday 1pm-3pm, Wednesday 5pm-6:30pm and Friday 10am-12pm
For more information go to larne.foodbank.org.uk or call 02828277530 (for the out-of-hours emergency number call 07443435404) Photo: kuarmungadd - stock.adobe.com
14. Lisburn Food Bank
Lisburn Food Bank is based at Graham Gardens, Lisburn.
Over 1,550 children and adults have been supported with food parcels since January 2021, including 647 children. Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11am-1pm
For more information go to lisburn.foodbank.org.uk or call 07756965868 Photo: Contributed
15. Armagh Food Bank
Armagh Food Bank is based at Drummanmore Road, Armagh.
The Armagh Food Bank was established in 2015 and gave 1677 emergency food supplies to people in crisis last year. Opening hours: Tuesday and Saturday 10:30am-12:30pm For more information go to armagh.foodbank.org.uk or call 07752680805 Photo: Contributed
16. Bangor Food Bank and Community Support
Bangor Food Bank and Community Support is based at Balloo Avenue, Bangor.
Over 770 local families have been helped since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as many more from when Bangor Food Bank was established in 2012.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10am-3pm
For more information go to bangorni.foodbank.org.uk or call 07821791674 Photo: Contributed