Christmas can be a very tough time of year for families.
Especially this year, as more of us deal with the rising cost of living and increased energy bills, many people are finding themselves in difficult positions, some even for the first time.
It's a great idea to lend a hand to those struggling during the festive season if you're able to, either by volunteering your time, dropping off some toys or food items, or even by donating.
Read more: Belfast businesses throw Christmas party for city's homeless
Every little bit of funding, or every extra toy or food item counts, and is helping families in your local area have a brighter Christmas.
There are many charities and community groups across Northern Ireland helping struggling families and those who are homeless, with many seeing increased demand during this time of year.
Here are just a few of the groups you can help with donations this Christmas.
The People's Kitchen
Based at 1 Antrim Road in North Belfast, The People's Kitchen have been helping the city's homeless and those who find themselves struggling amid the cost of living crisis this festive season.
The charity began life in 2017 as St Patrick's Soup Kitchen, with volunteers serving warm drinks and sandwiches from a trolley in a doorway, but has since grown to operating seven days a week as the need in the city increased further.
You can leave donations of non-perishable food, clothes, hats and scarves, and sleeping bags into their base, or donations can be made through their website here.
The Larder Food Bank
The Larder food bank is based in East Belfast and provides food, support, and hope to thousands of people living through financial distress.
They are based at 70 Mersey Street, and accept donations through their side entrance on Parkgate Drive. The food bank is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 12pm, and Thursday evening from 6pm to 8pm.
It will be open all day on Thursday, December 22, then closed for Christmas from December 23 to January 3.
On December 22, The Larder will be transformed into a Christmas Grocery Store where members can shop from shelves stacked high with all they’ll need for Christmas Dinner, from brussels sprouts, to boxes of sweets, shloer to figgy pudding (& meat vouchers included for a local butcher).
More information can be found and online donations can be made by clicking here.
The Welcome Organisation
The Welcome Organisation provides a range of potentially life-saving services to around 1,400 people affected by homelessness across greater Belfast every year.
It helps people affected by homelessness through a range of services including a drop-in centre, street outreach service and crisis accommodation for women.
To donate, click here.
Use Your Loaf
A cafe on the Antrim Road, Use Your Loaf have been helping the local community first through coronavirus and now through the cost of living crisis.
They run a daily breakfast club for children, and have seen a rise in demand for their annual toy appeal this year.
Owner John Kelly said they're helping around 600 families this Christmas with their list of referrals continuing to grow as the big day comes closer.
He told Belfast Live: "I think out of all the years we've done it, this has been the worst year so far. The demand for services is really needed this year.
"At this time of year, it's quiet for what donations we normally get, which tells me circumstances are bad out there for people. We don't care what it is, if you think it would be a good gift for a child, just drop it in and we'll make sure it goes to a good place."
Toy donations can be left into the shop at 189 Antrim Road up until Christmas Eve, while donations can be made by clicking here.
Simon Community NI
It is Northern Ireland’s leading homeless charity. The charity offers specialist support services in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland including homelessness prevention, accommodation services, health, well-being and practice development.
To donate and find out more information, click here.
To donate to a local service instead, simply contact your nearest project to discuss what they need most and when you can drop items off. Contact details can be found here.
Bangor Foodbank and Community Support (BFCS)
It has been running for ten years - covering from Holywood right down to Portaferry.
It was set up on the idea "that poverty borne problems could be answered best by looking to the community for solutions and working together to tackle them".
It works with a wide range of front line service providers which act as referral agents to ensure that the food bank's resources are directed to "the most deserving in the community".
To find out more about the food bank and donate, click here.
North Belfast Community Food Bank
Coming up to Christmas, the North Belfast Community Food Bank are currently helping 700 local families who are struggling.
They are currently accepting donations of toys and non-perishable food items at Marrowbone Hub/youth club on the Oldpark Road.
South Belfast Foodbank
Since opening in 2014, the South Belfast Foodbank, run by the Trussel Trust, has provided over 354,834 meals to people in crisis, and are always busy around the festive season.
Locations and addresses of where you can donate food can be found here. Alternatively, to donate online click here.
Dundonald Foodbank
This foodbank is also ran by Trussel Trust. Locations of foodbank centres can be found here. To donate click here.
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