A social supermarket run by a Coleraine charity has been boosted by a £5,000 donation from Choice Housing, one of Northern Ireland’s largest independent housing providers.

The Reset Social Supermarket is coordinated from Vineyard Compassion’s Centre in Hillman’s Way.

Reset allows individuals to access fresh, frozen, and cupboard food as well as toiletries and household cleaning products by paying a small, weekly subscription for a period of up to six months.

For a household of two adults and two children, £10 a week can provide between £30 and £40 of food, with clients able to shop at the Reset Social Supermarket in person or online. Also included in the membership is a wraparound service that empowers people to make financial decisions to bring about stability, create positive habits, and improve home life.

Pictured (L-R) is Vineyard Compassion’s Provisions Co-ordinator Melanie Gibson, Choice Housing’s Financial Inclusion Manager Aidan McCrea, and Carol Ervine (Choice Housing Group Director of Tenant & Client Services).

placeholder image — Pictured (L-R) is Vineyard Compassion’s Provisions Co-ordinator Melanie Gibson, Choice Housing’s Financial Inclusion Manager Aidan McCrea, and Carol Ervine (Choice Housing Group Director of Tenant & Client Services).

Choice’s Financial Inclusion Manager, Aidan McCrea, said: “This support will go directly towards helping local individuals and families experiencing food insecurity gain access to affordable, nutritious food and essential household items. In a time when the cost of living continues to put pressure on low-income households, we feel this type of practical, community-focused intervention is timely and incredibly impactful.

“Reset’s holistic, wraparound model equips people with the tools and support they need to break the cycle of poverty for the long-term,” he continued.

“We commend volunteers’ ongoing commitment to uplifting communities and working alongside local partners to ensure that no individual or family living in Coleraine must face food insecurity alone.”

Ricky Wright, CEO at Vineyard Compassion, said: “We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to Choice for their generous £5000 donation to support our Social Supermarket. This contribution will have a direct and lasting impact on individuals and families across Coleraine who are struggling with the rising cost of living.

Pictured (L-R) is Carol Ervine, Choice Housing Group Director of Tenant & Client Services, Vineyard Compassion’s Provisions Co-ordinator Melanie Gibson, and Choice Housing’s Financial Inclusion Manager Aidan McCrea.

“At Vineyard Compassion, we believe that every person deserves the opportunity to move from crisis to their full potential, and Choice’s support helps make that possible. We are deeply grateful to Choice and its supporters for investing in the wellbeing of our local community. The money will be used to support food provision within Vineyard Compassion, helping us to continue offering affordable food to individuals and families in need.”