Whitehead Storehouse

Category: Whitehead

Warm Space Whitehead Community Centre

Whitehead Community Centre Warm Space

Whitehead Centre are pleased to offer a new Warm Space in the Small Meeting Room- access via Balmoral Avenue side and to the top of the stairs. They will have tea, coffee and biscuits on offer as well as some games and jigsaws if you fancy.
This will run on Mondays 2.00pm- 4.00pm
Tuesdays 10.30am- 12.30pm
and Thursdays 2.00pm- 4.00pm
Everyone welcome!

Heating Costs Are High

With the horrific increase in heating costs, many people are having to keep their homes at a lower temperature than is maybe healthy for them.

“Warm Spaces” is a new concept aimed at providing a temporary, warm and safe environment for people who may be struggling with heating costs or for those who may not have adequate heating in their homes. The concept is that of a warming centre, where individuals can come and seek refuge from the cold.

The idea of providing these warm spaces is a great way to support those in need of extra heat, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. Not only do these spaces provide warmth, but they also offer a place for people to socialise and keep occupied, which can be crucial during the winter months when people may be more isolated due to the cold weather.

It’s important for communities to come together to support those who may be struggling with the costs of heating or inadequate heating in their homes. Warm Spaces is a great initiative that can help alleviate some of the challenges faced by individuals and families during the winter months.

Donations To Whitehead Storehouse

Christmas 2022 Donations

We have been asked what donations can be made to the Storehouse, to help others out over Christmas. Here is a list of items that would be useful for the Storehouse to receive for Christmas deliveries, though these will be made on Thursday 16th December 2022.

Image by Ria Sopala from Pixabay

Shloer, dilute juice and morning juice.

Jams, marmalade and peanut butter.

Tins of custard, rice and fruit.

Tins of pork, ham, corned beef and Fray Bentos pies.

Tins of potatoes, carrots and peas.

Christmas puddings, chocolate puddings, mince pies and shortbread.

Selection boxes and tubs of sweets.

Toilet rolls kitchen rolls washing up liquid, soap.

Vouchers for the local shops or supermarkets.

If you feel you would like to donate to Whitehead Storehouse, please leave your donations at Whitehead Spar, Whitehead Community Centre or any Whitehead Church.

All donations are gratefully received and are used to help those in economic difficulty in Whitehead, Ballycarry and Islandmagee.

New Year 2023

Even if you cannot donate in time for Christmas 2022, there will still be an ongoing need for help in 2023, so please feel free to make donations at a later date if you wish.

Thank you everyone, for all the help you have provided in 2022.

Thank You Whitehead Congregational Church

Thank you very much to all those who contributed items at Whitehead Congregational Church’s recent Harvest Festival Service. These have been donated to Whitehead Storehouse to provide emergency food help to those in economic need in Whitehead, Ballycarry and Islandmagee. With the threat of a cold and difficult winter for all, these donations will help the most vulnerable in the local area.

Thank You Islandmagee Methodist Church

Islandmagee Methodist Church Harvest Festival Donations

A huge thank you to all those who donated at the Islandmagee Harvest Festival Service. The donations have been passed to Whitehead Storehouse, the independent food bank for Whitehead, Islandmagee and Ballycarry and will be kept safe, ready for emergency food supplies to be provided for those in need in the local area.

We all know that food costs have risen steeply in the last few months and that heating has become even more costly, with oil, gas and electricity prices rising sharply. For those already in difficult economic situations, the coming winter will be even harder, with some people facing thorny choices between heating and eating. Whitehead Storehouse is very grateful for all donations that will allow us to help those in short term crisis with emergency food packs that will help them over a difficult patch.

UPDATE

A very generous financial donation has also been made from the Harvest Collection by Islandmagee Methodist Church. Very gratefully received. Thank you very much.

Thank You Church of Ireland

The Church of Ireland in Whitehead and Islandmagee asked those at the annual Harvest Festival Services this year to donate non-perishable items to Whitehead Storehouse, providing a list of the most needed items. St Patrick’s Church held their Harvest Service on 2 October 2022. St John’s Islandmagee is to hold their service on 16th October.

Donations from St Patrick’s service have now been delivered to Whitehead Storehouse and will be stored there, ready for emergency food supplies to be provided for those in need in the local area.

As everyone has no doubt noticed, fuel supply costs (oil, gas, electricity) are increasing sharply. This is on top of steady increases in the cost of food and other items from the shops. More people may well be faced with “Heat or Eat” decisions this winter than last year and Whitehead Storehouse is extremely grateful to those who donated items that can be used to provide emergency food packs to local families facing a short term crisis, for whatever reason.

Thank You Lighthouse Bistro

Lighthouse Bistro

Grateful thanks to The Lighthouse Bistro, Whitehead, its customers and to Erica Lutzman for organising a fundraiser on behalf of Whitehead Storehouse. Over £200 was raised in the short space of 3 hours, every penny of which will go to help economically deprived residents of the local area.

With the cost of living and the cost of heating rising for everyone, this is going to be a hard winter for many, who will struggle to stay warm or feed their children. It also means that donors may well be finding the economic situation harder, so we are extremely grateful to all those who donated and of course to the Lighthouse Bistro for organising the fundraiser.

Thank You Whitehead Storehouse

It’s great to see that Whitehead Storehouse has received two lovely comments recently.

One was from someone who received a Christmas parcel last year but doesn’t need one this year because they now have a job and are in a much better place but said they were so grateful to receive the parcel last year as “it really helped”.

The other is an email from someone who received a parcel this year and said, “thank you so much for the wonderful box just delivered to me. Its very much appreciated and welcome in these difficult times.”

Whitehead Storehouse could not help anyone without YOUR help. Thank you so much to all the residents and businesses of Whitehead and further afield who have contributed food, money, vouchers, gifts and time that have enabled the Storehouse to help those who are disadvantaged.

Update On Stores Delivering Orders

Shop Deliveries

A reminder that a number of shops in the area can deliver your orders if you are self-isolating or do not wish to leave the house. More stores can be added if you send details.

With the lock-down, many people will be considering having their goods delivered. The following local stores are providing delivery services to those who do not want to attend the shops. Remember, Whitehead Storehouse can help disadvantaged people and families and is also coordinating help for anyone in the area needing services because they are self isolating or vulnerable. Contact Us here by phone, text or email. You can also volunteer to help Whitehead Storehouse.

Whitehead Spar Shop

The local Whitehead Spar shop carries out food deliveries for free in Whitehead and has done so for several years. The Whitehead Spar can be contacted on 028 9337 2344. Note: deliveries are now being extended further around the local area.

Foster’s Fruit And Flowers, Whitehead

Foster’s Fruit And Flowers can be contacted on 028 9337 2755 and can deliver fruit, vegetables etc for free within the town of Whitehead, minimum spend £5.

Ballycarry Day Today

For anyone in Ballycarry, the local shop, Day Today can be contacted on 07709814066 for deliveries to your doorstep.

McKee’s Home Bakery, Whitehead

Contact on 028 9337 2429 No Longer delivering, since lockdown eased.

McMaster’s Butchers, Whitehead

Can deliver locally and take payment over the phone. Call 028 9335 3313

Rinkha Islandmagee

Contact 028 9335 3229 and ask for Ross or Harry or email ross@therinkha.com

Caldwell’s Spar Islandmagee

Contact 028 9335 3261. Orders to be placed between 9am and 11am, weekdays only.

Nearest Food Bank To Me

What Is A Food Bank?

Foodbanks are charitable, non-profit organisations that collect food donations and pass them out to those in need of food because they do not have enough money to buy it. There are many food banks available in the UK, providing food and other emergency essentials to people struggling to manage, so that no one goes without food in an emergency. If you are referred to a food bank, or contact your independent food bank, you will get food for at least three days, as well as help to find other places that can help with your long-term needs.

The donations can come from individuals, companies or manufacturers for instance and are collected through schools, local shops, community organisations and also some of the big stores, who provide baskets near their exits for customers to add purchased items to.

How To Get Food From A Food Bank

Independent food banks can provide food immediately you ask. If there are none near you, you will need to get a referral to the local centre for a Trussell Trust food bank from someone like the Citizens Advice Centre or your doctor, a charity or a social worker. They can tell you how to get food from the food bank. The Citizens Advice Centre will probably make an appointment for you with an adviser who can discuss your whole situation, including whether you have any family, your income and needs. If you are eligible for the food bank they will give you a voucher or tell you how to access it.

What Food Will I Get?

Food banks attempt to provide enough nutritionally balanced food to last for three days, as an emergency stop gap. They will try to meet your dietary needs, within the limits of what they have available. Where necessary, they may buy special food. Some individuals or families have difficulty obtaining enough electricity or gas to be able to cook food. (They often have a choice between heating or eating). In these cases, food banks may supply cold packs containing food that can be eaten cold, or kettle packs, containing food that can be prepared with boiled water. These packs may not be nutritionally balanced, however, it is better to have some food, than none.

Food Bank Near Me

In Whitehead, there is an independent food bank available, called the Whitehead Storehouse. This also services Ballycarry, Islandmagee and Eden. There are also local food banks in Carrickfergus and Larne. The nearest food bank to Whitehead is the Whitehead Storehouse, an independent food bank.

How To Donate To A Food Bank

Food bank donations can be made easily in many large stores, which have tubs available near the exits where you can leave non-perishable items which will be collected or delivered to food banks. In many areas, you can leave donated items into the local churches, community centres or schools. In Whitehead, the churches and community centre and the local Spar shop on Edward Road all have collection tubs where you can leave items. You can also donate money. This is used to provide emergency items that are not available in the food bank or to buy items that are in low stock.

Food Bank Volunteer

Most food banks are happy to have volunteers to sort and pack food or work in an administrative capacity. Whitehead Storehouse is happy to use volunteers for a few hours to pack food boxes.

What is A Food Bank

In this country, it is expected that no one will be left to starve, but things can happen.

It is said that anyone is only 3 missed paychecks from being on the street. For many people, unexpected events like relationship breakdown, accident, illness, disability or unemployment can mean that someone, or even a whole family is left in poverty or destitute and even with no food. It is distressing for anyone to go hungry and even more when parents cannot feed their children. Knowing where to find an emergency food source is then critical.

What Is A Food Bank

A food bank is a place where food is kept until needed by a person or family in distress. The food is non-perishable (packets and tins) donated by shops or individuals and collected in a number of local places like churches, schools, community centres and donation points in local stores. The collected items are sent to the food bank and sorted by volunteers. When someone needs food, they are pointed in the direction of a food bank by someone, such as a social worker, medical professional or a friend. Usually, they are given a 3 day supply of nutritionally balanced food, to tide them over until they get some money.

Some food banks can provide fresh food and others provide other services such as a listening service for people in crisis.

What Is Non Perishable Food

This is food like tinned soups, beans, pasta, tinned meat, fish, milk, vegetables and fruit, packet cereals, long life milk, tea, coffee, packets of lentils, rice, peas, anything that is in date and that can be stored without a fridge for a long time. These kinds of food are donated at local collection points and sent to the food banks.

Whitehead Food Bank

There is a food bank in Whitehead, County Antrim. It is called the Whitehead Storehouse. You can contact it directly by email or phone.