Shop for Others
It's hard to believe I'm actually writing the words Meath Food Bank in 21st Century Ireland and that families are going without food as we approach Christmas let alone 2018.
Recession, job losses, rent increases, sickness, accidents, bereavements ...... there are so many things that can have detrimental effects on families. The fact that Irish children are being impoverished is truly frightening.
As we decorate our homes, finalise the gift shopping and contemplate the festive season there are others who are so far removed from our idea of the festive season. Christmas is however a time for caring and sharing, of thinking of others beyond ourselves and beyond our immediate family.
In September Ashling Lowe from Trim set up the Meath Food Bank to aid anyone who is going without food.
Assisted by a network of Meath volunteers the idea is simple: collect non perishable foods and deliver emergency food hampers to those in need without judgement.
"Many families have been forced to choose between either having a roof over their heads or food on their tables."
"Children are going without school lunches because the families are in such extreme financial difficulties."
For countless reasons, often beyond their control, people are now going without food and we must offer to help.
View the recent Local Media articles
People going without food is simply heart breaking to read about let alone awful for those experiencing it.
Can we as people of a caring Community make a big push to help those in need.
Navan has a high population so it is understandable that many calls for help have come from Local Families.
We need to show that as a Community of Caring Residents that we can do something right now to make a difference.
Immediate Support
Donate non perishable foods: cereals, rice, pasta, tins, jars, sauces, are all needed to create basic meals.
When you go shopping buy meal ingredients for another family.
You can help:
Johnstown Food 'Drop' Bank
- Contact Alan Lawes who has volunteered to act as our nearest collection point and arrange to deliver a meal hamper or collection of non perishable food items.
School Lunches
- When your child goes to school send your child in with an extra piece of fruit or sandwich for any child who may be going without lunch.
Smith's SuperValu
- There is a collection box for SVP at the checkout area until Dec 20th. Please fill it.
Long Term Support
Families in financial difficulties are not going to be able to resolve their extreme situations overnight so we need to provide an ongoing network of support.
Having a few volunteers as 'torch bearers' is not going to be sustainable so we need to instill a culture of communities constantly giving. The Meath Food Bank, SVP - Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Meath Women's Refuge & Services and others are all asking for food donations to support people in need.
We need to act as an organised Community and not simply rely on the generosity of a few.
A Suggestion: "Hungry Monday"
Do your children go to school?
We could ask the Schools to have a collection box placed at the school entrance every Monday Morning?
Any parent able to help could send in a non perishable food item with their child to drop it into the collection box as they enter the school. We could find another parent who, after dropping off their own child, could collect and take the food box to a drop off point ready for distribution.
- Easy to participate.
- Very little organisation required by very few.
- Will not make a huge difference to the family budget.
- Will not hinder the school.
- Simple and Sustainable.
If even one school did this on a regular basis it would have a dramatic input and cater to the basic needs of many families in desperate circumstances.
There are numerous schools in Navan with thousands of students who on a regular basis could support numerous families in need.
It takes just ONE to start a trend.
Can this be YOUR child's school?
Would you be the ONE to start this trend?
We're about to find out by simply asking them for help to support those families in desperate need. It's highly likely that it affects their students so we're expecting their welcoming replies.
If you can help in any way contact the Meath Food Bank.
If you can help organise local collections then get in touch with us and we'll help
For more information:
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