A west Belfast charity has said that it will be supporting thousands of people this Christmas after demand tripled in recent weeks.
Paul Doherty, who runs the Foodstock Hub on the Andersonstown Road, said his team of volunteers will be delivering food and toys right up to Christmas to vulnerable people and families.
He said that the level of need seen this year is “like nothing [they] have seen before” and that without the efforts of the community organisations many children would be waking up to no toys on Christmas.
“Foodstock work all year round, but Christmas is just so much more difficult for people and families, and we’ve seen a massive increase to the point where we’re seeing referrals triple over this recent number of weeks,” Paul said.
“It’s becoming difficult for so many people right across the city and what we’re seeing, and what you’ll see if you open up social media anywhere in Belfast, is communities really stepping up, and that’s what we’re seeing here in Foodstock.”
Paul Doherty, Foodstock Volunteer and Rachel from families in the Suffolk Community Centre
In the lead-up to Christmas the charity has been supporting vulnerable people and families – identified with the support of partner organisations – distributing food and toys.
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Earlier this month the charity delivered toys to children battling cancer and on Christmas Eve they plan to distribute around 600 Christmas dinners in west Belfast, which Paul says is up from 350 last year.
Paul said that among the people being supported are families spending Christmas in temporary accommodation which he said is “heartbreaking”.
“We’re just trying to spread a little joy. We’re trying to get out and do what we can as a community to try to show a bit of solidarity this time of year. Parents are getting it very tough in terms of their circumstances,” he said.
“We have spoken to many people living in temporary emergency accommodation, who have had to flee their homes because of domestic violence or other circumstances, and they were contemplating not having a Christmas at all.
“It’s what drives us on, every child remembers Christmas and it’s about trying to help parents create memories for their children, and also reaching vulnerable people in the community, and letting them know that there is someone there for them.
“People are really struggling, and if people can’t afford to put food on the table they can’t afford to heat their homes, Christmas and toys is way down the priority list.”
Foodstock Christmas and winter appeal
He added: “There’s so many personal and family tragedies and issues of where we’re hearing every day, and it’s heartbreaking, really. It’s very difficult.
“We’re very lucky that people have rallied. In terms of funding, this isn’t a government grant or scheme. This is people, who sometimes don’t have much to give, giving what they can to support what we’re doing.
“And without people looking out for people this Christmas, many children would not wake up to toys this Christmas, and many people would be sitting isolated, with empty cupboards and cold homes.
“It has to be recognised that all these efforts you see on social media, that is very much the community stepping up.”