Food Banks across NI benefit from YFCU president’s appeal

“This year has been an incredibly tough year through the Covid-19 pandemic, many people have lost their jobs, families have lost their main source of income and many have fallen on hard times. This is why the local food banks and those who donate towards them are so important more now than ever,” explained Hannah Kirkpatrick, YFCU vice-president.

Meanwhile, Craig Henry, Moycraig Young Farmers’ Club said: “Every year the president of the Young Farmers has a charity appeal for clubs to support, this year with everything that’s been going on, our president Zita McNaugher came up with the idea of members donating to their local food banks.

“My club Moycraig YFC alongside our neighbouring clubs, Finvoy and Kilraughts, donated to Ballymoney Food Bank as it supports those struggling in our local community.”

Clubs throughout Northern Ireland have donated to over 60 different food banks, with over 100 car loads of items being donated. Items included everything from long-life milk to canned food items to essential toiletries.

Peter from Ballymoney Food Bank said: “Ballymoney Food Bank opened in February 2014 and our role is simply to give out food and toiletries to those families and individuals in Ballymoney who are struggling to put food on the table. In December the Food Bank reached their own land mark of giving food to their 10,000th individual.”

Peter added: “Donations are crucial for us to help our communities. Without donations we can’t help those who struggle to put food on the table.”

Zita McNaugher, YFCU president, commented: “I am overwhelmed by the response to this year’s appeal.

“Young Farmers’ are a crucial back bone to rural communities and constantly step in when their communities need them most. This year hundreds of individuals will benefit from the campaign.”