Foodbank Receives Support From Developer

The Isle of Man Foodbank has received an early Christmas gift from local homebuilder Dandara in the form of a commercial freezer.

The charity, which provides food parcels and action plans to help those finding it difficult to return to independence, has seen demand for its services increase year-on-year, particularly during the winter months when utility bills tend to be higher.

It will use the freezer to store its food parcels and food items to be frozen that are collected from supermarkets at the end of each day.

Foodbank

Set up in 2013, the Island’s Foodbank assists those in crisis and staff and volunteers are currently working relentlessly to prepare food parcels for those in need.

Last year, the Foodbank prepared an average of 340 parcels per month (peaking at 513 in December 2023) and that figure has risen to an average of 400 parcels a month in 2024.

A charity spokesperson said: “Although our services are required all year round, the timing of Dandara’s donation just before Christmas is excellent because we tend to receive more meat which needs freezing to be used for our Christmas food parcels.

“Until now, we had been using a second-hand freezer which served us well, but this larger, commercial freezer is a real bonus and will certainly receive plenty of use as more people in the community need our support.

“We are incredibly grateful to companies like Dandara that enable us to support people in crisis and can’t thank them enough for their generosity.”

Spread Christmas Cheer

Spreading Christmas cheer is also part of the charity’s remit, and over the next month everyone will receive both their usual food parcel plus an extra special festive parcel as Cathie explained.

“We work closely with the Salvation Army which carries out such good work, and our joint aim is to ensure no-one in need goes without this Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of local individuals and businesses like Dandara, this really is a true community effort.”

To find out more about the Foodbank or to make a donation via one of the many drop-off locations throughout the Island, you can visit the charity’s Facebook page or website: isleofmanfoodbank.wordpress.com