A locally operated food bank based in Co Cavan has seen a significant increase over the past 12 months in the use of their service.
Ballyjamesduff Food Bank has been operating across Cavan and beyond for a number of years.
The service is run in confidence within the locality to help individuals and families experiencing food insecurity or poverty.
According to Noel Kelly who runs the community group, we don't judge and we don't say no. He said when people first reach out to the service, there's a lot of embarrassment because there's so much stigma around food poverty.
The Co Cavan food hub is always on the lookout for donations of non-perishable food items like canned goods, pasta, rice and cereal. Ballyjamesduff Food Bank is also on the lookout for volunteers to help with a upcoming food collection week.
Ballyjamesduff Food Bank will be collecting food at Tesco in Cavan Town from next Monday and are looking for people to help out. The summer food collection that runs until the 4th of August will be collecting non perishable food items throughout the week.
Mr Kelly says the cost of crisis is adding to the strain on people to afford basic food items and he says it's important to not let pride stand your way as the local food hub is here to help.
Noel says the group sometimes hear from people that are in full-time employment but still cant afford food and in turn some people are going without food.
