Chairperson Donates to Local Foodbanks at Christmas

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage launched a Christmas Food Appeal recently to provide food and essential non-food items to residents who are most in need this Christmas. Seven drop off points across the district opened from Monday 21 November to Friday 9 December to enable members of the public to donate to the appeal.

During what is likely to be the most challenging winter that our foodbank network has ever faced, residents’ donations have assisted in enabling our Chairperson to deliver food boxes as well as a monetary donation to the local food banks within the community, Fountain Foodbank, Downpatrick; The Larder, Newry; The Cornerstone, Kilkeel; The Pantry, Newcastle, Kilmore and Crossgar Foodbank and Ballynahinch Foodbank.

The soaring cost of living means more and more people are being forced to use food banks and for the first time ever, local food banks are giving out more food than is being donated.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “The foodbanks located in our district work tirelessly all year round, always going the extra mile to help struggling families and individuals by providing food parcels and practical support to those most in need. I know that this is an incredibly challenging time for many people in our local area and I am pleased that I could help in some small way to make a difference.”