Home Bargains Staff Make Major Donation to Local Food Collections

The generosity of local Home Bargains staff was on display today as they made a major donation to local food collections which will go towards hampers for vulnerable citizens.

Community representatives playing leading roles in the local response, Sinn Féin councillor and community development worker Ciaran Beattie and Belfast South Community Resources development officer Trevor Greer, were both present at The Park Centre in Belfast to receive the large donation of food from Home Bargains staff members, which will go to those most in need.

Over £1,000 worth of stock was donated including;

• 200 tins of soup
• 200 tins of canned food
• 200 tins of beans
• 160 packs of rice
• 100 packs of noodles
• 130 packs of biscuits
• 500 rolls of toilet paper
• 60 bottles of juice
• 60 bags of sugar
• Large amounts of cereals, tea and coffee

Home Bargains staff in eight local stores at Newtownabbey, Newtownards, Cityside, Boucher Road, Clandeboye, Holywood, Connswater and The Park Centre were involved in the collection.

Gary Donegan, Home Bargains area manager, said;

“In such difficult and challenging times, it is more important than ever that we support those around us, and our local communities. We at Home Bargains always do what we can to help others, and the team have shown their support by donating over £1,000 worth of stock for local food banks. We hope that this small gesture will help those that are vulnerable, and those families that are most in need.”

Trevor Greer, Belfast South Community Resources Development Officer, said;

“I can’t thank the staff of Home Bargains enough. This donation which will benefit people in need right across the community is incredibly generous and will make a difference.

“We are here at The Park Centre today to receive the donation from Home Bargains staff and, on behalf of Belfast South Community Resources and South City Community Resource, I would like to say thank you for their fantastic community spirit at this time.

“It lifts your heart to see this generosity and selfless thought for others and this is what will carry us through this current health crisis.”

Councillor and Community Development worker Ciaran Beattie said:

“There are many people in our communities who are in need and are vulnerable at this time.

“We have been working hard to provide as much help and assistance as we can, and the support we have received has been amazing.

“I am here at The Park Centre today to express my gratitude to the staff members of Home Bargains who have given this outstanding donation to help people who need it most.

“It is a tremendous act of community solidarity from them and they deserve to be commended for it.

“We will get through this period by standing together and helping each other and today’s donation is another wonderful example of that.”

 

What is social distancing?

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

They are to:

1. Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough
2. Avoid non-essential use of public transport when possible
3. Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information
4. Avoid large and small gatherings in public spaces, noting that pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and similar venues are currently shut as infections spread easily in closed spaces where people gather together.
5. Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
6. Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is practicable.

We strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible, particularly if you:

1. are over 70
2. have an underlying health condition
3. are pregnant

This advice is likely to be in place for some weeks.

Handwashing and respiratory hygiene

There are general principles you can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

1. washing your hands more often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser when you get home or into work, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food
2. avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
3. avoid close contact with people who have symptoms
4. cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands
5. clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home