## Foodbank Report 2021/2022 Dundonald Foodbank continues provide emergency food to those in crisis within greater East Belfast, Castlereagh area, Moneyreagh, as far as Ravenhill Road. Dundonald Foodbank has been in operation now for 10 years and is manned almost entirely by volunteers, with just one staff member. We remain part of the national foodbank network seeded by the Trussell Trust. Dundonald Foodbank is one 22 TT foodbanks and a total of 45 including all the distribution centres in Northern Ireland. In the year from 1st March 2021 to 22nd February 2022 Dundonald Foodbank collected 37649kg in donations and distributed 37656 kg. ( 6994 kg Hampers ) A total of 707 vouchers ( 674 last year ) were issued during this year and prior to the Christmas period the foodbank was able to provide a further 298 hampers to families in need. Again, during the year The Larder, an independent food bank in Mersey Street and Antrim foodbank benefited from help from Dundonald foodbank. The families receiving hampers were nominated by our referral agencies and churches connected to the Foodbank such as Ballybeen Women's Centre, Church of God, Glenmachan and St. Vincent de Paul. This was the ninth year we have been able to provide hampers thanks to the generosity of our supporters who donate food throughout the year. We were also able to provide a £20 meat voucher to each family receiving a food hamper over the Christmas period. We have continued to see an increase in local organisations/agencies become partners that now hold vouchers. We still supply household items such as cleaning materials, toiletries, nappies, and washing powder which has been well received by our families. We also offer families with pets the opportunity to take home dog and cat food. Thanks to the council for providing funding to purchase a freezer we have also been able to offer clients frozen meals where it is appropriate. ## Main sources of donations - Tesco Knocknagoney continue to have a “Permanent Collection Point ” (PCP) allowing customers to donate food each week. We had our annual three-day collections at the beginning of December. Asda Dundonald continue to partner with us, allowing a PCP to be installed in our local supermarket. The Asda food drive in May was a great success. The Henderson group have recently agreed to support us in all of their stores that fall under the Dundonald and Castlereagh catchment area. We look forward to working more closely with them in the near future. - A network of foodbank collection points continue in the seven churches and six partner churches.  We saw an increase in the financial giving during this period through a variety of sources. The media have raised the awareness of the existence of foodbanks and the ever increasing need of families. Our N.I representatives from Trussell Trust have also been working hard to raise the profile of our foodbanks through the local media. We hope this will help to grow awareness throughout our community of what we do , of the unrelenting need and to influence the government to take action where it is needed. We have no doubt that the support for the foodbank by the Dundonald churches, partner churches and our local community will continue . There is a massive need within areas covered by Dundonald foodbank will endeavour to show the love of Jesus in providing help to those in need. ## Some highlights of the past year Orangefield Presbyterian Church has seen a massive increase in the numbers of people visiting their premises. In the previous financial year 33.38% of the total number of vouchers were fulfilled there. This accounted for 236 households – 350 adults and 446 children. As the need continues to rise the need for volunteers has also risen. In Dundonald today, we have an extra 6 volunteers , Orangefield have recruited 4 more volunteers. ## Directors, Committee and Volunteers During this year one of our team leaders left, namely Brian Roy and we gained another, Kevin Cooper. The committee comprises of nominees from the member organisations, namely St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Dundonald Baptist Church, Christ Church Presbyterian, Elizabeth Church of Ireland, Dundonald Elim Church Dundonald Methodist Church, Dundonald Presbyterian Church. The Salvation Army and Orangefield Presbyterian church. The board would again like to thank all those who volunteer each week, to those who donate food and all referral agency staff. Dundonald Foodbank could not operate without the commitment of the very dedicated group of volunteers. Carol Izzard Foodbank Co-ordinator