Boyle Food Partnership was established in July 2017, following the realisation that households were experiencing food shortages due to a lack of money.
Research produced by the Central Statistics Office suggests that 1 in 8 households are currently going without food on a regular basis throughout Ireland.
Figures produced in 2015 by Trade Unions, Unite and Mandate suggest that in County Roscommon alone, up to 7000 people are at risk of ongoing poverty and going without food.
The projected figures for Sligo are exactly the same, whilst Mayo’s projected figures are thought to be in the region of 12,500 and 3500 people are thought to experience food shortages throughout Co Leitrim. The realisation that 20,000 people throughout our four counties are classified as not having the means to purchase sufficient food on an ongoing basis shocked me.
Thus began the idea of Boyle Food Partnership. We became aware that some of the larger chain stores had partnered with FoodCloud and were seeking local charities to distribute food to those most in need.
Food is collected from Tesco once a week and handed out the following day. This food is classified as perishable and is frozen or chilled upon receipt. It is hoped that a similar arrangement will have commenced with Aldi and Lidl within the next few weeks.
Non Perishable Food supplies are also available. They are obtained from FoodCloud in Galway, an initiative which is EU/Government funded.
I would like to say a special thank you to the staff and volunteers of Boyle Family Resource Centre who make themselves available and hand out food supplies. Without their help this project could not function.
It is extremely difficult to obtain accurate figures in relation to current food deprivation levels. Many people may feel unable to ask for assistance until all other avenues have been explored and they are in crisis. Many families may require assistance during times of illness or once off special events. We have asked the assistance of many professionals working in our communities to advertise that we are here to help and will provide you with whatever food items we have in stock when you call.
This service is very different to some initiatives that have gone before. Traditionally, food mountains which were costing the EU money in terms of storage and refrigeration were deemed unsustainable in the long term. It was decided that the most efficient method in reducing costs, was to distribute commodities to the public throughout the EU. There were large quantities of product and recipient economic status did not matter. The objective was to move product on.
However, Boyle Food Partnership is very different on two grounds.
Our food supplies are quite limited and it is designed to assist those most in need, those who are going without today. It is not intended to replenish a depleting store cupboard for an unidentified rainy day. It is intended to help anyone who is being forced to go without at the present moment.
We look forward to serving you. If you or anyone you know is currently going without food due to economic hardship, please let them know we are up and running and ask them to get in touch. We will endeavour to help as best we can. This service is confidential.
Tel 071 9663000 or text 086 7387910. Email hiddenpoverty@gmail.com or Facebook messenger Poverty and Homelessness. All messages will be responded to on the date of receipt.
