Donegal people are being urged to support their local food banks to help struggling families this summer.
Food insecurity has emerged as a major issue for families who are facing the extra cost of back-to-school shopping. The surge in demand for support has forced community groups to dip into their emergency supplies for those in need.
To help alleviate this pressure, the Donegal Food Network, with the support of DLDC, is asking people to donate what they can to their nearest food bank. Donations can include money, food, or school supplies.
The Donegal Food Network is made up of 13 community organisations throughout Donegal that open their doors to accept donations of food, vouchers, cash, or gifts that will be distributed to those in need in their local community.
Those who can’t visit their local community groups to drop in donations of food and other supplies, but wish to donate, can do so through an iDonate fundraising page that is unique to the community organisation they wish to support. (Links below)
The back-to-school period is a time when many parents are worried about the financial repercussions of education. Families facing mounting costs for schoolbooks, uniforms, stationery and school and college fees can struggle to meet the daily budget demands of family life, thus food insecurity increases at this time of year.
Speaking about the back-to-school campaign, Margaret Larkin, Community Development Manager, DLDC, “Over the last few months, demand has risen so much that local community groups cannot meet the needs of those experiencing food insecurity in Donegal. Rising food and energy costs have placed so much financial pressure on families in Donegal, that those who once donated to the charity are now approaching it for help.”
“Many families are finding it hard to financially recover from the pandemic, when now faced with the rising cost of living, despite being in employment. The upcoming back-to-school period is due to cause more stress to families across the region, adding another burden to families who are already challenged financially. Any donation – no matter how small – will go a long way to help those struggling at this time of year.”
For more information on how to donate, please see the list below or visit www.DLDC.org for a full list of iDonate page details for registered community groups or search your nearest community group’s Facebook page.
For your local community group iDonate page – please see below:
- Donegal Family Resource Centre – https://www.idonate.ie/
fundraiser/ donegalfrcback2school - Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór – https://www.idonate.ie/
fundraiser/11445062_cffam- fundraising-page.html - Cloughaneely Mental Health Association/Cloughaneely Food Bank –https://www.idonate.ie/
cloughaneelymhabacktoschool - Cara House, Letterkenny – https://www.idonate.ie/
fundraiser/ carahouseback2school - Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhair – www.idonate.ie/
IonadNaomhPadraig - CDP Na Rosann Dungloe – https://www.idonate.ie/
fundraiser/ CDPnaRosannBacktoSchoolFundrai ser - The Mustard Seed Tea Room, Donegal Town
