East Belfast school donates canteen stock to foodbank

By Rebecca Black, PA.

An east Belfast school has donated its canteen stock to a food bank.

Strathearn Grammar School for girls cleared its stores to donate a wide range of food and beverages to Bangor Foodbank and Community Support.

The school's Miskelly Deli normally caters for 775 girls at the senior school as well as 150 girls who attend the preparatory department.

Principal Nicola Connery explained the stores had been fully stocked with several weeks' worth of a wide range of non-perishable items when schools were closed in March.

"As an outward-looking and community-focused school, we are committed to doing anything we can to support those in need around us as the Covid-19 continues to evolve and wanted these food supplies to go to those in need at this time," she said.

"We are pleased that these items will make even a small difference to dozens of families during these unprecedented times."

In recent weeks the school has also donated personal protective equipment to local hospitals, with its technology department also designing and producing bespoke face shields for ophthalmology departments in Belfast's Ulster and Royal Victoria Hospitals.

Strathearn is among the schools which have remained open for the children of key workers.