Archbishop thanks parishioners for extraordinary response to food appeal

22 Dec 2013

Press Release Sunday December 22nd

Please see below, for your information, a copy of a letter from Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, read at Masses throughout the Archdiocese this weekend. At the end of November, the Archbishop launched the first ever Dublin Diocese Food appeal following a request from staff at Crosscare’s food bank, who were struggling to keep up with demand from families in need. Parishioners from all over the Diocese donated tons of food to Churches over the past four weeks. In his letter, the Archbishop also thanks people for their response to a special collection held for Syria and the Philippines.

ARCHBISHOP’S HOUSE
DUBLIN 9

22nd December 2013

“I would like to express my great appreciation to people all over the Archdiocese of Dublin for their generosity in responding to the Church appeal for disaster relief in the Philippines and Syria and for the Crosscare Food appeal.

The collection at Masses within the Archdiocese of Dublin for the Philippines and Syria amounted to Euro 1.3 million and individual contributions are still coming in.

The response to the food appeal was extraordinary. Crosscare staff – with at times up to 30 years’ experience – tell me that they have never experienced such spontaneous generosity. To date Crosscare has received 70 tons of food – exactly as requested tinned and other non-perishable produce which can be effectively distributed. Parishes have not just collected food but have provided transport to store places. We have also received contributions from schools and institutions, including from the detainees of one prison.

The food bank is now replenished but demands are growing also. This week, in one parish, food parcels had been prepared for 30 scheduled families and 85 turned up. Thanks to your generosity everyone received what they needed.

I thank you for your generosity and pray that we will all – and especially the children – experience the simplicity and happiness that comes with the birth of Jesus.”

+Diarmuid Martin
Archbishop of Dublin

Further Information: Annette O Donnell 087 8143462