County Derry Food Bank Facing Unprecedented Demand

A County Derry food bank organiser warns it is facing unprecedented demand for its services this winter.

Pressure put on families by the cost of living crisis has left the Maghera Cross Community Link food bank fighting to ensure everyone who needs help receives it.

Centre Manager Heather Boyd says the food bank is the busiest it has been in its eight year history.

“It has been terrible. Our bell is constantly going,” she said.

 “It's definitely the hardest year but we turn nobody away, we always try to help in some way.

“People are struggling. They're struggling with heat, they're struggling with electricity and really all we can help them with is food or coal because we haven't got the money to buy electricity or heating oil or anything like that.”

According to Ms Boyd, more people than ever rely on the food bank while less people can afford to donate.

The food bank is currently running low on items that would have previously featured in every bundle such as sandwich spreads and pasta sauces.

“There are people living on their own and unfortunately in some cases they're living all they have is amicrowave so they can't even cook.

“We can only give them bags of stuff like cereal and Pot Noodles and Super Noodles – things that only need a kettle or a microwave. It's all of those things that we run low on very quickly.”

Adding to the problem of dropping donations, they are often prevented from buying items from shops in the required quantities. This is because limits placed on consumers when an item is on offer also apply to food banks.

Demand for the food bank always increases in winter. As families look ahead to Christmas and recover from back to school costs there is always a need for that bit of extra help.

“Families try to do their best by their kids at Christmas time and get them what they want and that can lead to them getting into debt and they're just trying to feed their children at the same time and keep their houses warm. It's just a struggle.”

Ms Boyd says this year's calls for help go beyond the typical levels.

Many working families now use the food bank, something that was rare before.

She says there is not much help out there for them as they face hardship many of them have not previously experienced.

Despite the added pressure the food bank is still capable of meeting the needs of the community following collections from local schools and churches.

Anyone who wishes to avail of support can message the Maghera Cross Community Link on facebook, call +44 7759 964550, email heatherboyd2009@hotmail.com. Discretion is assured.

Anyone who wishes to donate can contact the centre through the same channels.