Category: Harvest

Small School, Big Heart: Thanks to Ballycarry Primary School

In the heart of our community, there’s a small school with a remarkably big heart. Ballycarry Primary School, though modest in size, has demonstrated an immense capacity for generosity. This year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to them for their heartwarming harvest donation to Whitehead Storehouse, the local food bank. Their act of kindness serves as a powerful reminder that the size of one’s heart is far more important than the size of one’s institution.

Harvesting Hope

Harvest is a season of giving thanks for the abundance of the land and sharing that abundance with those in need. It’s a time for communities to come together, regardless of their size, and support those who may be facing challenges.

The heart of Ballycarry Primary School’s donation was all about filling the shelves of our local food bank. Essential items such as canned goods and other cupboard staples found their way to the storehouse, ensuring that families in our community won’t go to bed hungry. Their thoughtful act of providing food has made a big difference to many.

The school’s generosity has done more than fill stomachs; it has nurtured the spirits of those who receive their donations. The act of giving has brought smiles and a sense of hope to individuals and families experiencing hardship.

Ballycarry Primary School’s donation has not only helped those in need but has also served as a valuable lesson to their students. It teaches the importance of compassion, generosity, and community care – lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.

Expressing Our Gratitude:

To the students, teachers, and staff of Ballycarry Primary School, we extend our sincerest thanks. Your small school has shown us that the size of your hearts is immeasurable, and your commitment to making a positive impact in our community is truly inspirational.

Harvesting Happiness: A Grateful Shout-out to Islandmagee Methodist Church

Spirit of Harvest

As autumn’s gentle touch transforms the landscape, the spirit of harvest envelops us, reminding us to count our blessings and share our abundance. This year, we are also immensely grateful to the Islandmagee Methodist Church for their outstanding generosity in donating their harvest collection to Whitehead Storehouse, the local food bank for Whitehead, Islandmagee and Ballycarry. Their act of kindness has not only enriched our community but has also kindled warmth in our hearts. In this blog post, we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Islandmagee Methodist Church for their commitment to making a difference.

Essence of Harvest:

Harvest is a time of gratitude and sharing, a season when communities come together to celebrate the gifts of the land and ensure that none within their midst go hungry. The Islandmagee Methodist Church, through their remarkable act of kindness, embodies the true spirit of this season.

Strengthening Community Bonds:

Even more than tangible donations, the Islandmagee Methodist Church’s gift has fortified the bonds within our community. It has shown us that when we unite with open hearts and outstretched hands, we can build a compassionate and resilient community.

Expressing Our Gratitude:

To the members of the Islandmagee Methodist Church, we extend our deepest appreciation for your very generous harvest collection and for the retiring collection sum of £700. Your commitment to the values of charity, generosity, and community has made a tangible difference in the lives of those around you. Your donation has lightened the burdens of many, and your example inspires us all to be better neighbours.

Thank You Islandmagee Primary School

Islandmagee Primary School held a harvest collection event and has donated the items brought in to Whitehead Storehouse to help those in economic difficulty this winter. Thank you very much for thinking of those who will not have very much and donating items that will help keep people fed during hard times.

Thank You Whitehead Congregational Church


Thank you very much to all those who contributed items at Whitehead Congregational Church’s recent Harvest Festival Service. These have been donated to Whitehead Storehouse to provide emergency food help to those in economic need in Whitehead, Ballycarry and Islandmagee. With the threat of a cold and difficult winter for all, these donations will help the most vulnerable in the local area.

Thank You St John’s Church of Ireland Islandmagee

Many thanks to those who donated items at St John’s Church of Ireland Harvest Festival Service for use by Whitehead Storehouse. Your gifts are gratefully received. It appears that the coming winter is going to be difficult for many people and your donations mean that Whitehead Storehouse will be able to provide emergency food help to those in need.

Thank You Presbyterian Church Islandmagee

Thank you very much to all the donors at the Islandmagee Presbyterian Church Harvest Festival Service, who gave food and other non-perishables and also donations of vouchers and cash to Whitehead Storehouse.


Whitehead Storehouse is really grateful for all the amazing support received this autumn, which will let us help those in need locally this winter, including Islandmagee, Whitehead and Ballycarry.

Thank You Islandmagee Methodist Church

Islandmagee Methodist Church Harvest Festival Donations

A huge thank you to all those who donated at the Islandmagee Harvest Festival Service. The donations have been passed to Whitehead Storehouse, the independent food bank for Whitehead, Islandmagee and Ballycarry and will be kept safe, ready for emergency food supplies to be provided for those in need in the local area.

We all know that food costs have risen steeply in the last few months and that heating has become even more costly, with oil, gas and electricity prices rising sharply. For those already in difficult economic situations, the coming winter will be even harder, with some people facing thorny choices between heating and eating. Whitehead Storehouse is very grateful for all donations that will allow us to help those in short term crisis with emergency food packs that will help them over a difficult patch.

UPDATE

A very generous financial donation has also been made from the Harvest Collection by Islandmagee Methodist Church. Very gratefully received. Thank you very much.

https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/

Thank You Church of Ireland

The Church of Ireland in Whitehead and Islandmagee asked those at the annual Harvest Festival Services this year to donate non-perishable items to Whitehead Storehouse, providing a list of the most needed items. St Patrick’s Church held their Harvest Service on 2 October 2022. St John’s Islandmagee is to hold their service on 16th October.

Donations from St Patrick’s service have now been delivered to Whitehead Storehouse and will be stored there, ready for emergency food supplies to be provided for those in need in the local area.

As everyone has no doubt noticed, fuel supply costs (oil, gas, electricity) are increasing sharply. This is on top of steady increases in the cost of food and other items from the shops. More people may well be faced with “Heat or Eat” decisions this winter than last year and Whitehead Storehouse is extremely grateful to those who donated items that can be used to provide emergency food packs to local families facing a short term crisis, for whatever reason.

https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/

Thank You Methodist Church Whitehead

The Methodist Church, Whitehead, Minister, Stephen Woods, held its harvest festival service on Sunday 25 September 2022, with all donations going to Whitehead Storehouse. The congregation and visitors provided a fantastic response to the call for non-perishable food to help those who would otherwise go hungry this winter. The pictures below show the amazing contributions that were transported to Whitehead Storehouse.

These will all be used to help those at economic disadvantage in the Whitehead area.

Many thanks to all those who donated or helped in any way.

UPDATE

More bags of food have since been received from Whitehead Methodist Church plus a very generous financial donation from a member of the Church, plus an offer of white goods.

Many thanks for the additional help. It will all be put to good use.

 

https://www.whiteheadstorehouse.com/

Harvest Thanksgiving Service 2022

Harvest Thanksgiving Services are a means of showing gratitude for everything you have and for supporting others who, through no fault of their own, are in need of help. This coming winter will be difficult for everyone, with cost of living and fuel price increases meaning that some will have to choose between heating and eating. Donated gifts at services are often given to those in need. Donations given to Whitehead Storehouse should, where possible, be non-perishable items with a long shelf life. These will be used to provide emergency food help to local people in Whitehead, Islandmagee and Ballycarry in need.

Local Harvest Thanksgiving Services

Whitehead Methodist Church

The Harvest Thanksgiving Service for Whitehead Methodist Church will be held on Sunday 25th September 2022 at 10.30am. The service will be collecting items for Whitehead Storehouse

National Churches Trust on Flickr.com

St Patrick’s and St John’s Church of Ireland Whitehead

St Patricks Harvest Festival Poster

St Patricks and St Johns

Harvest Festival Services 2 and 16 October 2022 at St Patrick’s and St John’s CoI will support Whitehead Storehouse.

Top 10 items

  1. small tins of food for single individual
  2. Tinned tuna and meats
  3. Packet pasta and Rice
  4. Canned fruit, custard, rice pudding
  5. Cereals, porridge
  6. Sugar, tea, coffee, biscuits,
  7. Tinned veg / baked beans
  8. Pasta sauce, curry sauce in jars
  9. Shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel
  10. Toilet Rolls, washing powder

Whitehead Storehouse is most grateful for donations that we can use to help people in economic deprivation.

We are happy to add any further Harvest Festival details to this post.