George Best Belfast City Airport Community Fund has financed a brand-new Peugeot van for Bangor NI Foodbank which will be used to help supply food to those in North Down who are in need.

With more than 45 active volunteers, the foodbank relies solely on voluntary food donations from local supermarkets, churches, businesses and schools. The new van will be used to collect donated food from each of these locations.

The new van has enabled the introduction of a home delivery service to clients who do not have access to transport, to those with physical and/or mental disabilities and to those from our elderly community who are unable to call and collect their vital food parcels.

To date in 2019, Bangor NI Foodbank has distributed food for over 56,570 meals and demand for the foodbank is growing – with an 18% rise in food parcels delivered over the last 12 months.

Acknowledging the contribution from the Community Fund, Bangor NI Foodbank Manager, Ken Scott said:

“Unfortunately, the level of demand for foodbank services is showing no sign of declining and the arrival of this van will allow us to work with greater efficiency among the most needy in our society.

“Most of the people using our services are on the breadline and sadly that’s a very easy position to find yourself in.

“On behalf of all those involved in running Bangor Foodbank and indeed on behalf of all those who will benefit from this Community Fund support I say a huge thank you.”

Margaret Curliss from Belfast City Airport said:

“The work of the Bangor NI Foodbank is commendable and without it, people would struggle to feed themselves and their families.

“Anyone can reach crisis point and it’s important organisations such as Bangor NI Foodbank are here to help when that happens.

“We are so glad that the Community Fund will help feed local people and also offer a friendly welcome to those in need of assistance.

Ernie, a Volunteer at Bangor NI Foodbank said:

“I want to give something back to the community and by volunteering at Bangor Foodbank I can make a real difference by helping to get people out of a crisis.

“All of the volunteers go to great lengths to protect the dignity of each individual client and ensure that confidentiality is always maintained.

“We have had a few tears from people coming through the doors and we are there for them whether it be to offer a cup of tea, a listening ear or just to get them a food parcel if they want to get straight home.”

People can be referred to Bangor Foodbank by a range of frontline service providers such as Community Advice Centre, Jobcentre, community and housing associations, local GPs and local council members.

You can help make a significant contribution on the run up to Christmas by donating non-perishable food and ladies & gents’ toiletries to Bangor Foodbanks collection points in Tesco Springhill, Sainsbury’s Bangor and ASDA in Bangor.

For more information on the Community Fund please visit: www.belfastcityairport.com/community