Archbishop Martin appeals for support for Food Banks

01 Dec 2015

For the third year in a row, the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin is asking parishioners to donate food to help stock food banks in the weeks before Christmas.  Archbishop Martin launched the first ever Diocesan Food Appeal in 2013 and parishioners responded with extraordinary generosity then and again in 2014.

Crosscare, the social care agency of the Archdiocese of Dublin, now operates seven Food Banks around Dublin.  Demand for food, especially from families, has remained consistently high and during the winter months, supplies in the food banks can run very low.  Crosscare Food manager Michael Mc Donagh said that, unfortunately, there were no signs of a falloff in demand for this service – which provides basic foodstuffs to those most in need, especially families with children.  Crosscare opened two new food banks in 2015 in Glasnevin and Darndale.  “We would much rather be in a position where we are closing food banks,” said Mr. Mc Donagh, but demand has remained steady throughout this year with another 750 tonnes of food distributed so far this year.

In a letter to priests and parishes this morning Archbishop Martin asked, “As this Jubilee Year of Mercy begins, I am asking you to once again help those in need in our Diocese by assisting in the collection of vital foodstuffs for the Crosscare Food Banks.  These Food Banks give food directly to individuals and families in need through local community food banks and also to over 70 other charities in Dublin who are working with those most in need.”

Archbishop Martin has asked parishes to repeat last year’s Food Appeal with parishioners to bring non-perishable food items to Masses in their local parish Church on the weekends of 5th/6th and 12th/13th of December.  Types of food urgently needed include pasta/rice, fruit juice, tea/coffee, soup, sugar, powdered milk, tinned meat/fish, tinned veg/fruit, packaged dessert, biscuits, and hygiene products.

ENDS

Further information: Annette O Donnell, 087 8143462/01 8360723

Michael Mc Donagh, Crosscare Senior Manager Food Services, 087 6710442