Statement by Cllr Timothy Gaston, Deputy Mayor for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council:
“Connect Ministries have been doing a magnificent job in running the Ballymena Foodbanks, and with the statistics showing that over 1000 families have needed to avail of their emergency 3 day food supply, it shows just how crucial they are in Ballymena.
“To that end Council need to make sure that there is support available to them in the work they do. I am more than pleased to support Connect Ministries request for Council to approve a permanent food collection bin at the Braid Townhall and at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre. If this can help them continue their work then it is the least Council can do.
“Ballymena Foodbank has been in existence since April 2013, and in November I hosted a meeting with the team to hear about all their hard work. What they do is life changing for many people, and they are a credit to Ballymena.
“It is only with the continued help and support of the local community as well as the countless volunteer hours put in by the dedicated Foodbank team that can deliver continued success.”