‘Our shelves are emptying faster than they’re filling’: Causeway Foodbank makes urgent autumn appeal

Causeway Foodbank is appealing for urgent donations as supplies of essential food and household items fall to critically low levels, with the charity warning that donations are currently struggling to keep pace with the number of parcels going out to local families. 

Every week, Phil Drummond, Provisions Manager at Vineyard Compassion, walks into the Causeway Foodbank warehouse at the Hope Centre and asks himself the same question: how many food parcels can the team make from what is currently on the shelves – and how many families might need their help? 

At the moment, the numbers aren't adding up. 

We spoke to Phil about what is happening behind the doors of the foodbank, who is seeking help and why the charity is asking the local community to respond this autumn. 

Phil, what is the situation at Causeway Foodbank right now? 

The honest answer is that our shelves are emptying faster than they're filling. 

Every week we're looking at what is coming in through donations compared with what is going out in food parcels, and at the moment we're struggling to keep that balance where it needs to be. 

Our overall stock levels are lower than we'd like for this time of year, and some of the items we use most frequently are now critically low. 

That's why we're making this appeal. We want to be honest with people about what we're seeing. If our community knows what's happening, they have the opportunity to help us before the situation becomes more difficult. 

What are you seeing in terms of demand? 

We're continuing to see people coming through our doors who need practical help to get through a difficult period. 

And the people using foodbanks aren't necessarily who some people might imagine. 

Alongside people receiving benefits who are struggling to make ends meet, we're increasingly seeing working families and even households where two people are working. 

These are people who are working, paying their bills and doing everything they can, but the numbers simply aren't adding up. When rent, energy, transport and other household costs have been paid, there may not be enough left to put food on the table. 

That's an important part of the story. Needing a food parcel isn't necessarily about someone not working or not trying. Sometimes a family simply can't make their income stretch far enough. 

Is this something we're seeing across Northern Ireland as well as locally? 

Yes. What we're experiencing here is part of a wider picture. 

Foodbanks across Northern Ireland are dealing with significant demand, and the need for emergency food support has been rising. 

But for us, the important thing is that this isn't just a national statistic. These are people living in Coleraine and the surrounding area. 

We see the impact of financial pressure at our own doors every week. 

How does Causeway Foodbank make sure that the people coming through the door are getting the help they need? 

We primarily operate through a voucher system, working with local agencies including health visitors, social workers, schools and advice centres. 

These organisations are often in a position to understand what is happening in a person's or family's life and can refer them to us when they need emergency food support. 

We also have a route for people in genuine crisis to contact us directly. 

The aim is simple: if someone doesn't have enough food, we want to be able to help. 

How significant is poverty in the local area? 

Unfortunately, we don't have to look very far. 
Within walking distance of our Hope Centre, there are areas officially recognised as among the most deprived communities in Northern Ireland.  

More widely, poverty remains a significant issue across Causeway Coast and Glens, with children particularly affected. 

So, when we talk about people needing food parcels, we're not talking about an issue happening somewhere else. These are local families and individuals living in our own communities. 

September is traditionally the start of Harvest collections. How important is that support? 

Harvest is incredibly important to us. 

This is traditionally a time when schools, churches, community groups, businesses and individuals think about donating food, and we're extremely grateful for every collection that takes place. 

But the need doesn't stop when Harvest is over. 

We need a steady flow of donations throughout the year because food parcels are going out every week. At the moment, we're particularly conscious that some of the items we use most are not coming in at the same rate they're going out. 

So we're asking people, particularly if they're organising a Harvest collection this autumn, to look at what we actually need most. 

What items are you most urgently looking for?

At the moment, we're particularly short of: 

Tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, tinned tomatoes, rice, pasta sauces, shampoo, deodorant and long-life milk. 

We have good supplies of some other staples for now, including baked beans, tinned soup, pasta and breakfast cereal. 

The reason we highlight specific items is because we want to make sure we're able to put together food parcels that are balanced and provide people with a useful range of food. 

What difference can one or two items make? 

A huge difference. 

If someone is doing their weekly shop and adds a tin of meat, some rice or a carton of long-life milk, it might not feel like a major contribution. 

But when hundreds of people across the community do the same thing, it makes a very significant difference to our stock levels. 

That's how foodbanks work. They're powered by the generosity of lots of ordinary people doing small things that collectively make a big difference. 

Are food donations the only way people can help? 

No. There are several ways people can support us. 

People can donate food at the Hope Centre on Hillmans Way in Coleraine or use one of the Trussell collection points in local Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's stores. 

Financial donations are also extremely valuable because they allow us to buy the items we're short of at any particular time and keep our supplies balanced. 

We're also happy to support churches, schools, workplaces and sports clubs that want to organise their own collections. We can provide shopping lists and collection crates. 

And we always need volunteers to help sort donations, pack parcels and keep our stock moving. 

What would you say to someone who is wondering whether their donation really makes a difference? 

Please don't underestimate it. 

When you put an extra tin or packet into your shopping trolley, you might think it's only a small thing. 

But that item could become part of a food parcel for a local family who is facing a really difficult week. 

At the moment, our shelves need the support of our community. 

If you're planning a Harvest collection, doing your weekly shop or simply looking for a practical way to help someone locally this autumn, please look at the items we're urgently short of. 

Because when someone comes through our doors needing food, we want to be able to say: yes, we can help.