The Storehouse at Grace Generation Church in Banbridge recently hosted a community support networking event to highlight the vital role of social supermarkets in supporting individuals and families in Banbridge and the surrounding areas.
Amid the ongoing cost‑of‑living crisis, social supermarkets operate in a similar way to traditional supermarkets, offering a range of food and household essentials in a retail‑style setting at significantly discounted prices.
Speaking during the visit, Lord Mayor Alderman Stephen Moutray said: “Social supermarkets are an imperative service in local communities, offering affordable and accessible support for those experiencing financial hardship. With the mounting financial challenges placed on individuals and families, I am delighted with the collaborative work of council, the ABC Community Food Hub and community groups in supporting local social supermarkets to help build more resilient and stronger communities across the borough.”
In addition to providing affordable goods, social supermarkets also provide vital wraparound support services. These include housing assistance, debt and money management advice, education and training opportunities, employment support, benefits guidance, and a variety of other practical supports designed to help people improve their overall wellbeing and financial stability.
Attendees included the Lord Mayor, elected members from Banbridge, Cusher and Lagan River DEA’s, local MLA’s and representatives from ABC Council, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Banbridge Academy, St Patrick’s College, Newbridge Integrated College, Southern Regional College, Clanrye Group, Tesco, Home Start, Community Advice ABC, Extern, Grown in Grace Foundation, Via Wings and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
Local social supermarkets in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon borough include Stepping Stones (Armagh), Bridge Pantry (Banbridge), Freedom Foods Pantry (Lurgan and Portadown) and Via Wings (Dromore).
To find out more about social supermarkets and cost-of-living support services, visit https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/resident/socialsupermarket/
