Mid Ulster Food Bank appeal launched for Christmas

by Gráinne Connolly

The Mid Ulster Food Bank Appeal was recently launched in Cookstown, to try and take in as many donations as possible to help those less fortunate in the area, coming up to Christmas. 

The council worked with a number of local charities and organisations to host and organise the food bank appeal at the Burnavon last Thursday (7th December), including St. Vincent de Paul, Antioch Food Bank, the Vineyard Church in Dungannon and the Lighthouse in Magherafelt. 

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr Kim Ashton attended the launch and expressed her thanks to the community and council employees who attended. 

"It's vital that as many people as possible support the appeal and donate, and while it's important to do so throughout the year, December is an especially difficult time for many in need.

"Recent statistics show that 1 in 5 people are now living below the poverty line in the UK. 

"I would encourage everyone to help make a difference to the lives of children, families, older people and some of the most vulnerable people in the community by simply donating an item from your weekly shop." 

(Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Kim Ashton, pictured with Sean McElhatton, Good Relations Officer and staff from Mid Ulster District Council who made donations at the launch of the Mid Ulster Food Bank Appeal).

Only last month, Q Radio also revealed that during a 6 month period, 77 people received crisis food supplies from Magherafelt Food Bank, showing how vital and depended on these donations are: 

http://www.goqradio.com/news/q-radio-local-news/listen-77-crisis-food-supplies-given-in-6-months-by-magherafelt-foodbank/

For those interested in supporting the appeal, donations can be left to the Vineyard Church in Dungannon (based at the Storehouse Car Park) on a drop in basis on Tuesdays from 7pm-8.30pm or on Thursdays from 10.30am-1pm.