A number of local celebrities have backed a Belfast food bank's Christmas appeal.
Foodstock have been helping families across the city through difficult times, and amid the cost of living crisis have been visiting over 400 homes on a weekly basis to provide food, assistance with energy bills, and essential items.
This year's Christmas appeal saw the group encounter the most dire conditions yet, as more and more families struggle to put food on their tables, heat their homes, and provide gifts for their children.
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Support for Foodstock's appeal has come from celebrities including Carl Frampton, who launched their toy appeal, Padraig McCrory who provided tickets for a raffle for his big fight at the SEE Arena, and comedian Paddy McDonnell who has turned the lights on for families at an event at the food bank and by donating to help families.
Cliftonville FC footballers Crickey Gallagher and Stephen Mallon also stopped by this week to spend their day preparing gifts for children and families.
Local boxer, Michael Conlon, donated £5,000 to the appeal, which Foodstock founder Paul Doherty said was a "fantastic gesture" which has "changed the whole dynamic of our appeal."
Speaking to Belfast Live, Paul said they are working seven days a week, day and night, to help those families most impacted by the cost of living crisis to make sure they can enjoy Christmas.
"We have been running the Foodstock Christmas Appeal for the last number of years now and this year, sadly, has been the worst we have encountered in terms of the number of families that are struggling to put food on their tables, heat their homes and provide gifts for their children," he explained.
"Too many families now that are contemplating not having a Christmas. As a community, we aren't prepared to let that happen.
"We need community now more than ever, and where our politics has failed people once again, we are coming together as one community to get people through this winter.
"At our community hub, we have been working to provide practical advice and guidance for people this winter and have also set-up breakfast clubs, community cafes and spaces for people to come together, keep warm and have some company.
"On Christmas Eve each year, we reach out to the community and find people who are alone over Christmas and provide them with a cooked Christmas dinner. This year, our team will provide 300 dinners this Christmas thanks to the help of Slim's Kitchen in Belfast.
"At the minute, we are responding every which way we can to what is going on out there in communities and we couldn't do this without the help of over 30 very selfless and dedicated volunteers and many who turn up at our door and ask 'what can I do to help?'"
Paul said they have really seen the community stepping up, with "incredible acts of kindness and solidarity." Foodstock have been working alongside West Wellbeing, as well as Belfast Trust social workers, health visitors, schools and children's services, to ensure they can help as many families as possible this year.
He said: "In our communities, many people, families, local businesses, schools, sporting clubs, youth centres and more are fundraising, collecting food and toys with work colleagues, family and friends and looking out for others.
"We shouldn't need to do these things, but without this help, so many people would suffer and struggle this Christmas. This incredible show of solidarity is what will put smiles on the faces of people this Christmas, heat their homes and put food on their table. Our communities are doing that.
"Currently, many working families are also finding things difficult as a result of low pay and mortgage payment increases. We have been through many things in the past where we were stretched, including coronavirus, but this is on another level in terms of the hardship that exists out there right now.
"We will be working throughout Christmas and into the new year and beyond to get people through this."
To get involved with the Foodstock Christmas Appeal, you can donate food, new toys, or vouchers at their community hub at 150F Andersonstown Road.
You can also donate online by clicking here.
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