The then permanent secretary, Dr Mark Browne, said axing the scheme was the most difficult decision he had to make.
Lilley, who is training to become a classroom assistant and received the grant during the pandemic, said the support made a real difference.
Without it, she said she sometimes has to choose a less healthy, processed option for her children because it’s often cheaper than fresh foods.
Although UK food inflation has slowed, prices are continuing to rise, just at a slower rate.
“You want to have everything they need, everything that’s nutritious for them, but it’s impossible trying to get the quality of food, especially food and veg and protein, with the prices.
“My little girl would like strawberries and blackberries, but it’s a fortune, I was in this morning and I had to ask her to pick something else,” she continued.
“I can go and buy a 35p donut versus a £4.50 box of strawberries, but it won’t fill her the same, won’t give her the brain power for school. It will actually damage her more.”
Lauren Entwhistle, who also has two children, has also experienced financial pressures.
After struggling with postnatal depression and managing her finances, she turned to Atlas Women’s Centre in Lisburn for support – which she said helped her put her “back together”.
Now she works there helping other women.
She said the majority of women who turn to the centre for support are struggling financially.
“I’ve been through it myself,” she said. “Worrying about that every day affects your mental health.
“It’s the hub of everything, that’s why there is a big issue with mental health in this country. There aren’t enough resources to help everyone.
“A lot of the mums here would tell you even if they were getting an extra fiver a week, they would be grateful for anything.”
Entwhistle said many women carefully count every penny when shopping.
“It would be nice if politicians came and spoke to women, and realised how hard they have it.
“Every time these women go to the shop they have to think, about their budget, they are counting pennies… I know myself, there is a constant feeling of guilt, like we’re not doing enough.”
Entwhistle encouraged women who were struggling to seek help through local women’s centres who can connect women with other services.
“All you need to do is come through the door.
“Some people might not like the thought of going to the food bank, unfortunately there is a bit of shame around it.”
