The owner of a cafe in North Belfast said their Christmas toy appeal is needed more than ever this year as the number of people needing help is "off the charts."
John Kelly is the owner of Use Your Loaf at 189 Antrim Road and has been operating a number of initiatives to support the local community first through the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis, including a breakfast club for kids and meals for pensioners.
For around 15 years, John has also had an annual Christmas toy appeal in businesses he has owned, and said this year their list of referrals "just keeps growing."
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The team at Use Your Loaf are currently helping 576 families in the run-up to Christmas, and are calling for anyone who is able to support them, to do so.
They are asking for presents for all age groups to be donated, or donations can be made through their app, which will then be used to buy gifts.
Speaking to Belfast Live, John said: "We're trying to get stuff to help struggling families coming up to Christmas. At the minute, we have 576 referrals for families that need help.
"People have been brilliant, they have been donating, but we just don't want to let anyone down. So if anybody can afford to buy a gift or drop in a wee donation then we can buy the gift, we would greatly appreciate it.
"It's all age groups at the minute, so it doesn't really matter what age group people bring in for, it will all go to a child that needs it.
"You're seeing people in really bad circumstances. It's not nice scenarios people are in at the minute, so if we can try something to help them, we will."
Donations for their Christmas appeal are currently down on what they have been in past years, John said, which highlights how much rising costs are hitting people's pockets.
He said they're hoping they can help make Christmas special for families who may be struggling this year.
"At this time of year, it's quiet for what donations we normally get, which tells me circumstances are bad out there for people. We don't care what it is, if you think it would be a good gift for a child, just drop it in and we'll make sure it goes to a good place," John added.
"I think out of all the years we've done it, this has been the worst year so far. The demand for services is really needed this year.
"Some people we've helped before get themselves into better situations then they come back and help us, which is brilliant. But this year, I think it's off the charts.
"I genuinely think people who are working are struggling because of the cost of living crisis and things that have been added onto their weekly budget, I think it means they have a lot less to spend on Christmas this year.
"I think at this moment, people are just starting to panic and saying they need help. Hopefully we can give them that help."
Toys can be dropped into Use Your Loaf at 189 Antrim Road, Flawless Faces Cosmetics at 207 Antrim Road, Apple Taxis at 174 Antrim Road, while donations can be made through the Use Your Loaf app. For more information, click here.
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