Charity SVP_Ireland estimate that by the end of the year about 200,000 people will have contacted their branches in Northern Ireland
BBC News NI South East ReporterSt Vincent De Paul estimate that by the end of the year about 200,000 people will have contacted their branches in Northern Ireland."Certainly the need is greater and it reflects the rising cost of food and fuel on people's fixed income," said Patrick Friel from SVP."There are a lot of people currently who have never made that call before. There are families who have had to make that decision because of the cost of living," he said.
"This year, more than ever, because we all know the cost of living crisis has hit, there are even more people coming out and giving more because they know that the need is more," she said.In Portadown, County Armagh, foodbank volunteer Chris Leech says Craigavon Area Foodbank has seen a surge in demand."So instead of looking at helping 400 people a month we are now looking at 600 people and beyond.
"Last year we relied heavily on community groups and partner organisations to give us referrals of people who were in need but wouldn't come forward to ask for help. This year a lot of those referrals are self-referrals." Both the foodbank and the toy appeal are benefitting from an initiative at the local YMCA youth club, where instead of paying their 50p nightly membership dues, children have been donating a food item or making a donation."The young people have really bought into the message and have been really inquisitive of why we are doing it.
"It's good for our members to have an idea of the struggles that some families and young people face," he said.
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