Since the start of the pandemic foodbanks have constantly been in the news.  We have seen sharp increases in the need for food as a result of those struggling financially particularly in our own area of South-West Belfast.  For example our statistics show that from April 2020 to March 2021 we fed 6461 people of which 2758 were children, now that's startling,  however it's been down to the generosity of the public and other donors like businesses, churches, schools, football and GAA clubs, corporates and many personal donations that we've been able to provide much needed assistance in the area.  We have been inundated with food and finance over the past year at the height of the pandemic and we feel privileged to be able to help many of those in need.  Indeed we have been a lifeline to many as some of those whom we have helped have said,  'you actually saved my life' and 'you have been so generous to me I just didn't know where to turn', and 'it's not just food, it's so much more than that'.

Of course our volunteers would love to continue this great work and serve their community as they have been doing so selflessly for the last 7 years.  We have a vibrant, hard working team that have a love for their community.

We don't receive any public funding and therefore we rely quite heavily on financial donations so that we can continue to help those in crisis.  Since the start of the pandemic we have seen many job losses resulting in a loss of income.  We have seen the result of sickness within families and how that has had a lasting effect in terms of loss of income.  We have seen many suffer with reductions in benefits, sanctions and many other variations of crises that have resulted in many of our people not even being able to afford the basics.  This is still the case today.

Our people are now having to cope with the sharp rises in energy costs and food prices.  These price rises are set to continue and our people are faced with very worrying times ahead.  We seem to be coming our of the shadow of Covid into the shadow of stark choices, heating our homes or eating.

Our teams have willingly volunteered to run team relay in support of their foodbank and they hope that you can be an encouragement not only to them but to those members of the community sitting in silence, ashamed to come forward and ask for help.  They would say any contribution big or small is greatly appreciated and to those at home maybe afraid to ask for help please lift the phone and get in contact if you feel you cannot afford food.  South-West Belfast Foodbank are here to help.  

We have been privy to many wonderful outcomes for those who have needed to use the foodbank in gaining employment, winning long fought out benefit appeals coupled with major improvements to their mental health.  This is why we need to keep going.  Our community and the organisations that partner with us have recognised that we provide a vital service within the area and since the start of the pandemic we have been reaching far and wide with our efficient delivery teams putting in hours each week to deliver to those in need. We like to think that we provide comfort and a listening ear to those in crisis giving much needed advice whenever appropriate as we often find that not having enough food is only part of the problem.

We'd like to thank our running teams who are training hard to make their time and for their willingness to take part, but most of all we thank our generous community far and wide who have supported and continue to support the work of the foodbank.  We just ask that you help us out a little bit more so that we can provide much needed help where it is needed.

Please help us to help others xx

This is what we all work towards and this is what we want #hungerfreefuture xxx

Edel Diamond

Foodbank Manager