St John’s donations to Pantry food bank

St John’s donations to Pantry food bank

25 November 2020

A LOCAL GAA club has been busy during the Covid crisis helping members of the local community by delivering food parcels.

Members from St John’s GAC, Drumnaquoile, have been assisting volunteers from the Pantry food bank in Newcastle.

The food bank has been operating since September 2014. Terry Nelson was a co-founder and has helped lead a cross-community group of volunteers who have provided help for thousands of people. 

Since 2014, the food bank has provided over 50,000 meals to people in need. It relies on donations from local people and businesses, as well as the fundraising skills of its volunteers. 

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, demand for its services has increased hugely. A team of 25 volunteers has responded to this need in a range of ways. 

The latest campaign began recently for those living near St John’s GAC who were vulnerable or self-isolating.

Club secretary Maureen Ward was one of the St John’s members co-ordinating the efforts.  

“The demand for the parcels was huge,” she said.

“For those who have been affected by Covid-19, it can be a much more difficult thing to negotiate when you live in a rural community or are isolated. 

“We had someone from the club working in each road, getting groceries for people, or getting preions from the chemist, or the like.

“Throughout last month we were taking in donations from people as well and the kindness they showed was overwhelming.”

Maureen said many people have found themselves in need of the services provided by food banks.

She added: “Some people feel a stigma in terms of asking for the help of a food bank, but they absolutely shouldn’t feel like that. People were calling us for help, but saying they were embarrassed.

“We were conscious of trying to help them in a sensitive way, bearing that in mind. We were absolutely not wanting to make a judgement on people.”

Maureen said the initiative was such a success that it might be repeated in the near future.

She added: “This area has needed it. People are going through very difficult times at the moment everywhere, they can’t see their family. 

“Even myself and my husband, working in tourism, we have seen things become really bad this year in terms of the work that is available. 

“In terms of the provisions of the food bank, and putting it on social media or in local press notes, it was surprising when we got out there amongst the community, how few people still knew it was there.”

“Once people did know about it more through our latest efforts, we saw their generosity coming to the fore as they donated money to the cause.

“It has been received so well that we are looking forward to revisiting it again in the future for another go — hopefully in February.”