Category: Whitehead

A Warm Thank You to Whitehead Congregational Church for Their Harvest Festival Donation”

Generosity

In the spirit of harvest and giving, we extend our warmest thanks to Whitehead Congregational Church for their generous donation to Whitehead Storehouse, the local food bank for Whitehead, Ballycarry and Islandmagee.. Your contribution has made a meaningful difference to our community, and we are truly grateful for your support. Your generosity is a shining example of the true essence of the harvest season. Thank you for your kindness.

In these times of adversity, the Congregational Church’s act of generosity has sown seeds of hope. Their donation serves as a beacon of light, reminding us all that compassion and kindness can thrive, even in the face of adversity. It sends a powerful message to those struggling: you are not alone, and help is near.

And even more the Congregational Church’s gift has fortified the bonds within our community. It has shown us that when we unite with open hearts and outstretched hands, we can build a compassionate and resilient community.

Spirit of Giving

As we celebrate this year’s harvest season, let us continue to carry the spirit of giving with us throughout the year. Supporting local food stores and charitable organisations is not limited to a particular season; it is a year-round dedication to ensuring that every individual in our community has access to the essentials they need.

Whitehead Congregational Church’s harvest donation has sown seeds of kindness that will undoubtedly yield a rich harvest of gratitude in our community. As we express our thanks, let us also challenge ourselves to follow their example. Together, we can create a community where no one goes to bed hungry and where the bonds of compassion and support are unbreakable.

Harvesting Happiness: A Grateful Shout-out to Islandmagee Methodist Church

Spirit of Harvest

As autumn’s gentle touch transforms the landscape, the spirit of harvest envelops us, reminding us to count our blessings and share our abundance. This year, we are also immensely grateful to the Islandmagee Methodist Church for their outstanding generosity in donating their harvest collection to Whitehead Storehouse, the local food bank for Whitehead, Islandmagee and Ballycarry. Their act of kindness has not only enriched our community but has also kindled warmth in our hearts. In this blog post, we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Islandmagee Methodist Church for their commitment to making a difference.

Essence of Harvest:

Harvest is a time of gratitude and sharing, a season when communities come together to celebrate the gifts of the land and ensure that none within their midst go hungry. The Islandmagee Methodist Church, through their remarkable act of kindness, embodies the true spirit of this season.

Strengthening Community Bonds:

Even more than tangible donations, the Islandmagee Methodist Church’s gift has fortified the bonds within our community. It has shown us that when we unite with open hearts and outstretched hands, we can build a compassionate and resilient community.

Expressing Our Gratitude:

To the members of the Islandmagee Methodist Church, we extend our deepest appreciation for your very generous harvest collection and for the retiring collection sum of £700. Your commitment to the values of charity, generosity, and community has made a tangible difference in the lives of those around you. Your donation has lightened the burdens of many, and your example inspires us all to be better neighbours.

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!
https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/

 

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.

https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/

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.

https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/

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.

https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/

Thank You Lighthouse Bistro

https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/

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

https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/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

https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/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.