SOUPKITCHENLAUNCHAPPEAL
THE closure of the Authentic Food Company has had a knock-on effect as the soup kitchen operated from St Patrick’s Parochial House in Dundalk can no longer offer ready meals to clients.
‘We used to get ready meals donated by the Authentic Food Company which we distributed at the soup kitchen as well as giving in meal hampers,’ explains Rose Bailey, who heads the project.
The soup kitchen has been in existence for around twenty years and provides hot soup and a snack to the homeless and those in need every evening during the week and on Sunday afternoons.
As the effects of the recession and the housing crisis continued to bite, it was decided three years ago to extend the service and to give food packages to those struggling to put food on the table.
‘We need food every week and our funds are very low at the moment as we come towards the end of the year,’ says Rose.
‘ There is still a demand for food parcels - it’s unbelievable.’
‘A lot of younger women are coming and it’s really sad to think that they are only starting out in life but they have to queue for food parcels to survive.’
She reveals that some of those who benefit from the food parcels would have previously donated to the charity but have since lost their jobs.
Every week, around 150 food packages are distributed on Friday mornings from the sacristy at the rear of St Patrick’s.
‘We give a basic parcel of staples like bread, milk, tea, sugar, and another item like tinned beans or peas,’ explains Rose.
Now, in the run up to Christmas, they are appealing for people to donate food items for Christmas hampers which will be given out on Friday December 21.
‘We will be holding food collections at both St Patrick’s and St Nicholas’ churches on Saturday and Sunday.’
‘Last year we organised a ‘reverse Advent calendar’ where a different item of non-perishable food is donated each day, resulting in everything that’s needed for a Christmas hamper by the end of Advent. People don’t have to make up the hampers as we have volunteers who do that,’ she explains. ‘A lot of schools, clubs, workplaces, and even a housing estate, got involved in making up the hampers and we would love to see that happening again this year.’
There was a wonderful response to the appeal last year. ‘We got so many donations that I stopped counting after we made up 300 hampers!’ she revealed.
Anyone who would to find out more the reverse Advent calendar appeal can get details on the St Patrick’s Soup Kitchen and Food Parcel’s Facebook page.