South Area Housing Executive staff hosted the event alongside Emmanuel Church to provide support for Craigavon Area Food Bank and Social Supermarket.
Mark Ingham, the Housing Executive’s Area Manager for the South, said: “We wanted to support the work of Emmanuel Church, which provides a vital service for people living in the area.
“As part of the event, attendees were given the opportunity to tour the church’s Social Supermarket and learn more about how the project works.
“For a low weekly subscription, the supermarket gives its members access to food to the value of £20 or more.
“We know that for some of our tenants, services like this help alleviate some of the financial pressure, especially during a cost of living crisis.
“Our staff will always signpost to services like these as they help create secure tenancies and lower the risk of homelessness.
“This is just one of many events, including many organised by my colleagues at the Housing Executive, which are running during Homelessness Awareness Week to highlight the invaluable work of the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.”
Pastor Chris Leech, Chairman of Craigavon Area Food Bank, said: “Tackling poverty can never be done in isolation.
“It is clear that poverty is a complex issue, but there are fundamental building block which need to be in place for positive change to happen.
“As a church, we often respond to crisis need for food and other essentials. However, it is the inter-agency partnership work which really starts to improve the lives of our clients.
“As statutory agencies and the community sector work together, we can address complex issues with decisive action.
“Housing is the fundamental building block of stability in all of our lives. Addressing homelessness is an urgent task but one which if addressed can truly change the lives of those who are currently struggling.
“Whilst there is currently a housing crisis, there is also opportunity for new and creative solutions to tackle this issue and create the circumstances where the most vulnerable people in our communities can thrive, rather than just survive.”
For more information visit nihe.gov.uk
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