Grace Generation Church in Banbridge hosted a community networking event at The Storehouse to focus on social supermarkets. The event took place in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough.

Social supermarkets provide food and household items at low prices in a retail format. They offer additional services such as housing aid, debt advice, money management, education, training, job support, and benefits guidance.

Lord Mayor Alderman Stephen Moutray attended. He stated that social supermarkets deliver essential aid to people facing money troubles. Moutray noted council collaboration with the ABC Community Food Hub and groups to strengthen borough communities.

Participants included elected members from Banbridge, Cusher and Lagan River DEAs, local MLAs, and ABC Council representatives. Others present were from Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Banbridge Academy, St Patrick’s College, Newbridge Integrated College, Southern Regional College, Clanrye Group, Tesco, Home Start, Community Advice ABC, Extern, Grown in Grace Foundation, Via Wings and Society of St Vincent de Paul.

Local social supermarkets operate at Stepping Stones in Armagh, Bridge Pantry in Banbridge, Freedom Foods Pantry in Lurgan and Portadown, and Via Wings in Dromore.