Foodbank
If you need help from our foodbank there are a few simple steps to follow.
Getting Food Support
If you need help, we can provide an emergency food parcel containing at least three days of meals.
In order to get help you'll need to obtain a food voucher. The voucher is then exchanged at either of our food distribution centres for a food parcel.
1. Get a Voucher
You can get a food voucher from a number of local community organisations, who can ensure you get the right support. (View referral partners).
Foodbank Vouchers
Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system.
We know that anyone can find themselves at crisis point for a number of different reasons.
In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher.
Our foodbank works with a number of different agencies, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and locally elected representatives.
When you contact a referral agency they will take some basic details from you to complete the voucher. This will help them to identify the cause of your crisis and offer practical guidance. It also means we are able to prepare suitable emergency food for the right number of people.
Once you have been issued with a voucher, you can exchange this for a minimum of three days of emergency food at one of our foodbank centres.
If you are a referral agency and would like to become a registered voucher holder for our foodbank, please contact us to find out more.
Referral Partners
- Alliance Party
- Alex Eason
- Community Learning Disability Team
- Community Mental Health Team
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Health Visitors
- Home-Start North Down
- Hospital Social Work Team
- North Down Community Network
- Probation Board for NI
- Saint Vincent de Paul
- Salvation Army
- Support or Social Worker
- Sure Start
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Women’s Aid
- YMCA North Down
- Your Housing
2. Visit Foodbank
You can find a list of our local centres and opening times here. When you arrive, we’ll welcome you with a warm drink and our trained volunteers will chat with you about your situation. We’ll also discuss any dietary needs you may have and exchange your foodbank voucher for a parcel of three days of emergency food.
We’ll also help to support you in any other ways that we can. Most of our foodbank centres offer a cafe style environment and our aim is to provide non-judgemental support at the point of crisis.
Visit one of our foodbank centres
You will be welcomed by volunteers to discuss your needs and prepare your food parcel.
“The volunteers at the foodbank were so lovely; they listened to me and made me feel human again. It was the first place I didn’t feel judged.”Foodbank User
We know that crisis can strike anyone and we also understand how difficult it can be to think about walking through a foodbank door. That’s why our foodbank volunteers aim to welcome everyone who comes to the foodbank with compassion, kindness and a listening ear.
A volunteer will chat to you while your parcel is prepared and offer you further support if they can, such as a local debt advice service or mental health support.
Meeting your needs
Your foodbank voucher will be exchanged for three days of emergency food. We want to make sure that we give you the right food to meet your needs, so please do let our volunteers know if you have any special dietary requirements or allergies, for example, gluten free or vegetarian.
Preparing your food
Whilst your food parcel is being prepared, a volunteer will offer you a warm drink and a biscuit or 3. They will also be available if you would like to have a chat. Your food parcel will be packed into supermarket carrier bags.
Practical guidance and support
Foodbank volunteers take the time to listen and support you. They are specially trained to know about local services and offer practical guidance so that you have access to the right support, helping you to break out of crisis.
Find your nearest foodbank
We’re here to help - find your closest foodbank and get the support you need, when you need it.
Bangor Foodhub & Community Support
Unit 1
24 Balloo Avenue
Bangor
BT19 7QT
Tel: 07821 791 674
Get DirectionsWhat’s in a food parcel?
Our foodbank provides three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food.
A typical food parcel includes
- Breakfast cereals
- Soup
- Pasta
- Rice
- Pasta sauce
- Tinned beans
- Tinned meat
- Tinned Vegetables
- Tinned fruit
- Tea or coffee
- Sugar
- Biscuits
- Snacks
Dietary requirements
Our foodbank can usually adapt your food parcel to meet your dietary needs, for example, gluten free, halal or vegetarian. When you arrive at the foodbank centre, a volunteer will chat to you about any special dietary requirements you may have.
Using Foodbank Vouchers
Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. Find out more about how we work.
We know that anyone can find themselves at crisis point for a number of different reasons.
In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis.
Our foodbank works with a number of different agencies, such as Community Advice, children’s centres and health visitors. To find out more about the agencies that hold our vouchers and how you can get help, please contact us.
When you contact a referral agency they will take some basic details from you to complete the voucher. This will help them to identify the cause of your crisis and offer practical guidance. It also means we are able to prepare suitable emergency food for the right number of people.
Once you have been issued with a voucher, you can exchange this for a minimum of three days of emergency food at your nearest foodbank centre.
If you are a referral agency and would like to become a registered voucher holder for our foodbank, please contact us to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to frequently asked questions.
How does my organisation make a referral to the foodbank?
Our foodbank works with a range of local agencies who meet people at risk of going hungry. Community Advice, children’s centres and health visitors are just some of those who can make refer people to our foodbank by issuing them with a foodbank voucher. If you think that your organisation could help people by referring them to our foodbank, please get in touch with us to discuss becoming a registered referral partner.
Where is my nearest foodbank centre?
Please go to the locations page to find the address and opening times of each of our foodbank centres. Please note you must have a foodbank voucher to receive help from the foodbank. If you don’t have a voucher please contact us.
What’s in a typical food parcel?
A typical food parcel contains a minimum of three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable, tinned and dried foods that have been donated by the local community. A typical food parcel includes: breakfast cereal, soup, pasta, rice, pasta sauce, baked beans, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, instant mash, UHT milk, tea, coffee, tinned dessert and biscuits.
Can the parcel be adapted to special dietary requirements?
Our foodbank can usually adapt your food parcel to suit your dietary needs. Just let us know when you arrive with your voucher. We can provide specific parcels for a range of needs including people with diabetes, gluten intolerance and vegetarian. We will also endeavour to adapt your parcel to accommodate any food allergies you indicate.
Will the food parcel cater for my whole family?
Our foodbank will adapt your food parcel according to the number of adults and children indicated on your voucher. We will also endeavour to provide foods that are age appropriate and in suitable quantities for your children.
I have a baby, can you help with supplies of nappies and baby food?
Our foodbank usually carries a small stock of nappies and baby foods, which we can add to your parcel. Please let us know when you arrive if you need additional items for your baby. We will also signpost you to local provision of further support where possible.
What if I can’t get to the foodbank centre?
In extreme circumstances we may be able to deliver your food parcel to your home, especially if you have mobility needs or are unwell. Please discuss this with the agency that refers you and get in touch with the foodbank directly to discuss this.
Make a Donation
Your donation, whether food or funds, helps provide essential support to those in need.