Omagh foodbank demand soars amid cost of living crisis

LOCAL foodbanks have been ‘absolutely inundated’ in recent days due to the impact of rising living costs in the Omagh area.

One foodbank in the town says it hasn’t seen such a surge in demand for its services since the start of the pandemic.

“We have fed 17 groups of people in the last two days which is a massive increase,” said Graham McElhinney of the Outreach Foodbank in Omagh.

“We have not seen numbers like this since the first lockdown… which is very alarming.”

Mr McElhinney continued, “Working families are coming to the foodbank because they cannot afford to pay a mortgage or rent, and also heat a house and feed a family.

“So, with this in mind, you can imagine how difficult it is for people who are less well-off.

“There has also been an increase in elderly users as their pensions can’t stretch to these rising prices.”

The increase in the cost of living has skyrocketed in the last few weeks, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine which has caused a huge rise in utility costs with fuel prices soaring to a record high.

Mr McElhinney said the Executive’s £200 heating benefit is a help, but it now buys much less than it did when the scheme was first announced.

Patrick Friel, president of Omagh St Vincent De Paul, is experiencing similar demand from local people desperate for help.

He told the UH, “People are just finding it very hard to make ends meet, and some are reluctant to ask for help. But they are now at a point where they no other option.

“The demand for food vouchers has increased a lot. We are grateful for donations but they go very quickly. It’s a very difficult time for many people, but we just try and do what we can to help.”