Nearly one in five people (19%) in Northern Ireland are considering using a food bank this Christmas.
This is higher than the national average, according to a survey of 2,000 people carried out by Censuswide for charity The Big Give.
The survey also found that more than half of people in Northern Ireland are planning to donate to children’s charities this Christmas.
A total of 40% are planning to donate to animal charities and 38% to homelessness/refuge support.
The survey found Northern Ireland to be the most charitable UK region, with more than three-quarters (77%) agreeing that it is better to give gifts than to receive them, against a national average of 73%.
And it couldn’t come at a more pressing time.
Eileen Wilson, Food Services Manager at Footprints, Northern Ireland, a partner of national food distribution charity FareShare said Christmas does bring extra challenges for people close to poverty or struggling with mental health.
“Expenses go up this time of year. Not just trying to buy food and gifts, but also heating in winter,” she said.
A campaign organised by the Big Give and backed by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Dame Judi Dench, Russell Brand and others is aiming to help. The Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK’s biggest Christmas coordinated fundraising appeal, is supporting over 900 charities to raise funds with the unique offer of matching any donations made during the week of 30th November – 7th December.
Alex Day, Director of The Big Give said: “Our study shows that, sadly, people across Great Britain and Northern Ireland are facing an imperfect storm; high fuel prices, chronic mental health problems, rising debt, loneliness and fears about COVID-19 will mean that, for many, this festive period will be a far cry from picture perfect scenes portrayed on Christmas cards.
“Some will rely on charities which will be further and further stretched as demand grows,” added Alex.
“That is why, for those who can, supporting charities is more important than ever. Through The Christmas Challenge campaign, we are offering to match any donation made to hundreds of amazing charities through theBigGive.org.uk That means whatever you can give will go twice as far.”