We are very pleased to renew our partnership with Bangor Foodbank and Community Support by funding the charity’s Van Insurance for another three years, until at least 2025. To date, the partnership has supported the charity to deliver 192,762 meals to those in need in Bangor and its surrounding areas
Bangor Foodbank and Community Support is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. The charity’s services have come under intense pressure as a result of the pandemic, with households across Northern Ireland facing increasing financial strain.
The Trussell Trust has reported that so far in 2021, the Bangor Foodbank alone recorded a 287% increase in people requiring emergency food parcels. It noted that funding from Hughes Insurance has allowed it to continue to deliver food parcels to those in need, with over 82% of the food parcels that it receives currently being delivered by van.
The charity, which has been providing emergency food services for over nine years, works closely with frontline professionals who identify and refer people in need of help. Its volunteers offer clients a minimum of three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food, along with support to resolve the difficulties that they face.
Ken Scott from Bangor Foodbank and Community Support, says “We cannot thank Hughes Insurance enough for having provided the van insurance since 2018. The van is an invaluable asset, without which we would not be able to serve those who have been shielding, on furlough and more recently, those who have lost their job and are facing financial crisis. By funding the van’s insurance, Hughes Insurance is really helping to facilitate this important service.
“To date, the van has allowed us to distribute food equivalent to 192,762 meals to those in need. During the past two years it has covered over 26,000 miles with 96% of these miles taking place in the Ards and North Down Council area.”
In the future, Bangor Foodbank and Community Support hopes to provide a holistic approach to poverty and food insecurity by responding in ways that create real, lasting change for people in need alongside emergency provision to empower individuals and families in financial crisis to cope better with their challenges.
Bethany Carroll, Marketing Assistant at Hughes Insurance, adds: “
“At Hughes, we are committed to serving the local community, and as the most vulnerable in our society continue to navigate a global pandemic, along with the many financial pressures that it exerts, the delivery of emergency food parcels has never been more important. We are proud to facilitate this vital service. We are delighted to renew our support for Bangor Foodbank and Community support by continuing to fund its van insurance for the next three years.