The principal of a primary school is worried that parents of his pupils are going hungry to feed their kids. Now, the school has set up a foodbank donation point and clothing pickup scheme to help families most in need.
Paddy McCabe, who has been principal of St Oliver Plunkett for a decade, has faced many challenges during his time in education. Now, his latest quest is to do all he can to minimise stress and angst among families being crippled by the cost of living crisis.
Mr McCabe, who grew up a stone throw away from the school, has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community. What was once an empty box at the doors of the school is now overflowing with donations of food and toiletries.
These items will be taken to the North West Foodbank before finding their way into homes of local people in need. The school hall has also become a hub for donations, with uniforms, winter coats, shoes and even Holy Communion suits and dresses all available for parents to take home for free.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Mr McCabe spoke of his ongoing fears about how the current climate is affecting people, offering support to staff, parents and pupils at his school. He said: "This cost-of-living crisis is very real, and not some hypothetical.
"I thought that it was important for us as a school to recognise that, and not just for our parents, but for the wider community. The initial thought was to try and set up a foodbank ourselves within school, but quickly realised that a couple of things were going against it.
“The logistics would be far too much, and we wanted to ensure there was a confidentiality aspect to it. I don't want to impact on anyone's dignity.
"I made some enquiries and phoned Greta at Glen parent and she pointed me in the direction of the South West Belfast Foodbank. I had a brief conversation with Adele from the foodbank, and she was very keen to link up with us.
"We now have a box at the front of the school for donations. If any parents or staff are in a position where they can donate one or two items, they can do that at the school entrance.
“We are keen to stress that it is only if they can. We are aware that this crisis is impacting everyone and we don't want anyone to feel obliged to do it.
"When the cage is filled, we get in touch with the team at the foodbank, they come and collect it, and then we start over again. When we started this, we alerted parents to it, so that they know that there's help available, if they need it.
"We also recognise that school uniform costs are expensive too, and we have tried to minimise that here. The kids can wear unbranded trousers, skirts and polo shirts.
“Then we just have the jumper with a crest. We also have put it out to parents to ask if they have any well-loved items, to bring them in for donation, and they have done that.
"The concern I have is that people are proud. I understand that, I grew up in the area, in Lenadoon, and it is a very proud community. There's that part of it that might be getting in the way, but we are saying to parents on a daily basis to call in and pick up anything that they might need."
Paddy is hoping this generosity will aid families in the days, weeks and months ahead, which could prove challenging for many. While the school can provide a safe and warm environment for the children during teaching hours, he is aware things may be different away from the school gates.
"The cost of living crisis is very concerning, I have to be honest, it is,” he added. “I am very aware of what is going on beyond our school gates and the impact that it has on individual families.
“I am concerned now and moving forward, with regards to the fact that families are going short in order to feed children. One of the things that has always blown me away is the generosity of our school community and our parents in particular.
“Anything that we do which is charity based, the parents are there. My worry is that those very kind parents, will be sitting at home and will be going hungry in order to feed their children. There may well be children who wouldn't be getting the same range of diet that they previously had.
"I hope that's not the case, but is my worry. Increasing costs seem to be on a weekly basis now. This is why we are now teaming up with the foodbank, and holding the clothes donation drive too, because we want to encourage our parents to avail of those services.
"I grew up in this community and have always been very proud of where I came from. I moved away, and my teaching career took me in a different direction but now I am back.
“The one thing that really impacted on me was just the generosity within our community and the genuine care that people show for each other. That is something that, even in more difficult times, you'll always meet someone within our school grounds, who has a good story to tell.
“There are so many of them, who have overcome some much, and been supportive of others. It is a brilliant community and I couldn't be prouder."
