Spar Northern Ireland has partnered with food bank The Larder in a bid to “restore dignity” to the local community.
According to the convenience retailer, two of its East Belfast stores have collaborated with the food bank to renovate the organisation’s warehouse.
Spar operator Henderson Food has reportedly built five bays of shelving with its merchandising team for the centre.
The store has also been donating food to the facility over the course of its partnership.
The symbol group aims to create an atmosphere for visitors that evokes the feeling of shopping rather than collecting donations.
READ MORE: Spar Scotland partners with Healthy Living Programme
The Larder currently provides approximately 80 food parcels to struggling households each week.
It predicts that more families will soon require its services as furlough schemes come to a close.
“We should not have to rely on emergency food indefinitely,” The Larder representative Alli Steen said.
“However, without serious welfare reform, this is the lived reality of many people.
“As furlough schemes end, we will see many more in need of intervention as their cupboards grow bare.”
Eurospar Ballyhackmore representative Wendy Smith added: “Services like these are vital to our local communities, especially as we start to rebuild from the most challenging months for households across the country.”
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