Shopper who volunteers with foodbank after Asda awareness day says store donations make a big difference
A shopper who signed up to volunteer with a Belfast foodbank after an awareness day at Asda says he now sees firsthand the positive impact store donations have in the community.
John McDonnell started volunteering at the South-West Belfast Foodbank earlier this year after meeting representatives from the group at Asda Westwood.
“I’ve been an Asda customer for years, and like lots of other shoppers, I regularly left donations at the collection point,” said John. “When I got talking to volunteers during their awareness day, I thought the work they did was fantastic.
“I’m retired now and have a bit of extra time on my hands, so I thought getting involved myself would be a great way to give a bit back to the community.”
John now collects donations from Asda Westwood every week, delivering them to the foodbank’s headquarters on Belfast’s Stewartstown Road, before they’re allocated to local households.
South-West Belfast Foodbank sees between 40 and 50 families across its three weekly sessions, which means around 120 bags of food are needed each week.
“The need is definitely there,” said John. “I have nothing but praise for shoppers who continue to put their hands in their pockets to help other people, even when many are feeling the pinch themselves.
“It’s great to get involved and see the process come full circle, from food donations at the store heading out to the foodbank and then on into the community, taking the pressure off hard-pressed families. It’s making a big difference.”
Earlier this month, Asda Westwood hosted two days of fundraising as part of a nationwide Food Drive from the retailer, which supports the Trussell Trust.
A total of £566 was collected along with food essentials, with the fundraiser spearheaded by the store’s Community Champion, Ann-Marie McCallion.
She said: “We’re right at the heart of our community here at Asda Westwood, and we understand the reality families are facing.
“Organisations like the South-West Belfast Foodbank do amazing work in offering support where it’s needed, taking a bit of that pressure off and offering access to much-needed help.
“It’s a vital service that we’re delighted to support, and we’re hugely grateful to all our wonderful colleagues and customers who got behind our fundraising efforts.”
Edel Diamond, manager at South-West Belfast Foodbank, added: “As well as ongoing support from the community through regular donations, events like Asda’s Food Drive and Awareness Days make a huge difference to the work we do.
“John has been an incredible addition to the team, and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our Asda community champion Ann-Marie, who works tirelessly on behalf of our foodbank and others within the community.”