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.
21. Causeway Food Bank
Based in Hillmans Way, Coleraine, Causeway Food Bank was founded in 2013, the Causeway Food Bank donated 1,479 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis in 2021.
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:30am-1pm
For more information go to causeway.foodbank.org.uk or call 02870220005 Photo: kuarmungadd - stock.adobe.com
22. Foyle Food Bank
Foyle Food Bank is located at Springtown Industrial estate.
Having been open since 2016, the Foyle Food Bank donated 193 food supplies to people in aid last year. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm
For more information go to foyle.foodbank.org.uk or call 07716129788 Photo: Con
23. Magherafelt Food Bank
Magherafelt Food Bank is based on Broad Street, Magherafelt.
Opened in 2015, the Magherafelt Food Bank handed out 534 emergency supplies to people in poverty. Opening hours: Friday 10am-2pm
For more information go to magherafelt.foodbank.org.uk or call 07393451504 Photo: Con
24. Antioch Foodbank
Antioch Foodbank (Ark Kingdom Ministries Charity Shop & Services) is based at Molesworth Street, Cookstown.
Antioch Foodbank attempts to find lasting solutions to the reasons behind the lack of food. The foodbank collaborates with organisations such as the Social Service to strategize and explore ways to reach and help the most vulnerable. Opening hours: Thursday and Friday 10am-4pm
For more information go to arkkingdomministries.co.uk/anitochstorehouse-foodbank or call 028 867 69066 Photo: Con