Belfast 'in crisis' as parents struggling to provide breakfast for their children

A foodbank in Belfast has seen a huge increase in need for their services in recent weeks, with parents under severe pressures.

Foodstock, on the Andersonstown Road in West Belfast, says parents are not only struggling to put food on the table for their children, but they are now going without food themselves.

Calling on the NI Executive to get back up and running, to provide support for these families across Northern Ireland, Foodstock is preparing for difficult months ahead, as bills increase and temperatures plummet

Read more: West Belfast foodbank creates community garden for people to grow their own food

"As a parent, I'm finding it hard to watch as even more families struggle to have a breakfast for children in the morning and a hot meal for when they get home from school," Paul Doherty said as his team at Foodstock packed bags to give out to homes in need of support.

"Many parents are now going without themselves. How did we ever get to this?

"Our team are doing all we can on the ground in communities each day to show solidarity and support people, but where is the urgency from Stormont to lift people out of this? Our communities are in crisis."

Paul Doherty at Foodstock (Justin Kernoghan)

Volunteers at Foodstock have been out with communities seven days per week supporting over 400 households during the current cost of living crisis. But they say they will do all in their power to help anyone who reaches out, or is referred to them.

Paul added: "To say that we have been under pressure with food supplies at Foodstock this week would be an understatement. Sadly, referrals have increased way beyond anything we have ever seen before, but we are doing all we can to reach people."

For more information on Foodstock, please contact Paul on 07794304259.

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