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FOR THE FIRST time since he became Archbishop of Dublin 10 years ago, Diarmuid Martin has launched a food appeal to help struggling families.
The Dublin Diocesan-Crosscare food appeal will take place over the four weeks of Advent, beginning 1 December.
The Crosscare Food Bank has seen a significant growth in recently and, last week, it had requests for food from 120 individuals and families. The organisation was only in a position to give parcels to 40.
At the current rate, Crosscare will distribute 750 tonnes of food by the end of this year. The corresponding figure for 2012 was 500 tonnes.
“They need urgent help sourcing food supplies or more people could be turned away in the coming weeks,” Archbishop Martin said.
”None of us should be satisfied that we really see the poverty around us. We can so easily get caught up in our own concerns, placing them first, that we do not notice that our sight has become blurred towards poverty and suffering. The poor rarely clamour. They just try to survive. When they cry out, the ears of the mainstream may well be too distracted to hear them.”
He has asked all Dublin parishes to help collect pasta/rice, fruit juice, tea/coffee, soup, sugar, powdered milk, tinned meats and fish, packaged desserts, biscuits and hygiene products.
Parishioners will be able to bring food supplies to their local parish at weekend Mass times. Crosscare will collect and redistribute the food every Monday and Tuesday.
Crosscare provides food directly to those who need it, as well as to 10 charities working with marginalised communities.
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Food appeal for struggling families and yet the wife of a bankrupt developer gets €9000 a month living expenses.
And I have to ask myself, how many of these people see a free meal as well as having plasma TV. I’m a “caveman” as one TD put it, no TV; however, I put my priorities in the correct order.
I’m happy to contribute but I wonder how much the Church is contributing? It’s an obscenely wealthy organisation that, if it liquidated some of its incredible assets, could make a serious dent in poverty issues worldwide. In the meantime, I share Archbishop’s encouragement that we all do a little to help our struggling brethren.
Spot on
Heard that on the radio first thought it was an appeal for the Philippines. Just goes to show what damage the political classes have inflicted on Irish citizens.
Hard to believe. Also in relation to the Philippines, Evolution Diving posted this in relation to the situation.
A quick tally shows €25,000 ($33,500) coming from Irish donors. Today they sent a truck of food and water but also managed to get tarpaulins, plywood and roofing onto the island. This is all thanks to your support.
I bet you wont see any TDs Senators or HSE managers in the Q
This report cant be true. Sure we have turned the corner and all the green shoots and all the great work that Dame Enda and Gimpmore are doing.
Every year in secondary school (10 years +) the school was involved for a food drive for St. Vincent De Paul. Even during the good times, there were many, many families in need of food aid on Irish shores. This is not a new problem, but the collapse of the economy has been devastating to some families, we all know this. It’s shameful how many people commenting on this page will give out about the government/public service managers etc, but yet will they actually lift a finger where it counts? For example, in Canada there are boxes in some stores near the exit, all year around, so people can donate food/products as they leave. Imagine this continuous stream of goods to local charities, to people who really are in need. This could be really beneficial in Ireland.
how genuine are the cases? one could have takeouts Monday-Thursday and otherwise waste money on expensive junk food during the week and then surprise surprise the cupboard is bare on Friday. Money management and food budgeting must be a partial explanation
Well Dee at least giving out food it better than other Charity’s like SVP, who at Christmas give out vouchers to people, who in turn usually buy alcohol or/and cigarettes with them or in some cases sell vouchers for cash.
I’m not saying SVP is bad, it would just benefit alot more people if they gave out food rather than vouchers.
I have heard former SVP volunteers grumbling over who they were helping. the more genuine the case the quieter they are I guess.
Jesus Dee4, you’re the type of commenter that makes me want to bash my head off the wall. Do you really have to be so negative towards people living in poverty and then try and pin the blame on them also? Why not just help? Give a couple of bags of pasta, rice, a box of tea bags and stop being such a louse. It might even make you feel good about yourself.
@E just covering all basis , there is a lazy approach to welfare in this country so its worth coming at it from that direction too.
Eimear, I love you. You can see from Dee4′s handle that they think “dem up in Dublin”, eat gold off diamond plates every day. Sure, there will inevitably be people who are gaming the system – but there is real and urgent need out there. I commend you for your decency and good sense.
Thats a fair enough point.
And others are calling for more money to be given to goal for the Philippines, while Irish children starve, its mad !
The church should practice what they preach and not be hypocritical asking people who are struggling themselves to help people less well off. They could use the billions of euros they have to help wipe out world hunger, Hypocrites that make me sick. And before my namesake comes on defending the Great CC I remember an instance in a choir practice that a homeless person heard the singing and knocked on the door of the choirmasters house looking for a glass of water and maybe some food and he slammed the door in the guys face. Look at all the churches charity’s and I bet the funding the church gives wouldn’t even be 5%.
Shome mishtake shurely. Mr Noonan has just been on tv saying everything is great – three thousand jobs per month etc., etc. Loadsamoney!!
How about a donation of €1,000,000 in aid from the government ?
Last Christmas I donated my day and the use of my van to deliver food parcels for SVP : when I seen the houses and the people I was delivering to I was confused which is why I won’t be doing it this year.
Yes Michael I totally agree, charity is going to the wrong people..
There are genuine people out there who have nothing but the scammers are ruining it for them..
I work with another charity organisation (not VDP). One thing I’ve learned over the years is not to judge a person based on what I can see. I know many families who are genuinely struggling to buy necessities for the family, and by necessities I mean food, pay utilities etc. many of these people live in ‘nice’ houses in ‘good’ areas. Just because someone was able to afford a nice house at one stage doesn’t mean they’ve loads of money now. The journey from affluence to poverty is a lot shorter then most people think.
That’s absolutely true, Mary. It’s said that most people are only three paycheques away from poverty unless they’ve got substantial savings to fall back on.
No surprise, same in the states and Britain where the red cross are handing out food parcels for the first time since world war 2. The decadence is astounding, always the same throughout history when empires and systems where at an end.
This is shocking, the benefits wonderland which is the Irish State, provides on an ample basis.
Ireland in the 21st century! Hard to believe
I wonder when our wonderful government sit down to there lavish Christmas dinner will they be thinking of all the hardship in the country???
I highly doubt it..
I used to donate stuff to the Vincent DePaul every year until one day a girl came into the salon and told me she didn’t need to worry about Christmas the Vincent DePaul will sort her out, then handed over 120euro for her hair and nails…
So one girl only turned your head away from the helping of those in need.
I got loads of help from saint vincent de paul for a few years and i donated small toys with the vouchers they gave me when i had gotten what i needed food wise and clothes for my kids.And still today donate because i saw what they did for people like me.
They and the homeless charities are a credit to themselves with what they have to work with.If not for people donating a small even something they wouldnt be able to help anyone.
I was blessed by people donating and for ever thankful for those who did,as it got me through many a depressing week and year.
So personally would like to thank all those who do donate what they do.God bless you’s all and many happy and healthy prosperous years to you and your families.
I donate all i can,even though my wages arent great still but a little makes the difference.
This food drive needs cans of food, cereals, spaghetti ,anything you can think of that will last a while.And for young students,families it means everything,not just filling their stomachs but showing they are not alone and keep them hopefully from depression.
Think of your own in these situations and that should give clarity for what must be done.
All stores should do a meet what you give or something along those lines.
P.s Elaine you knew her name you should have reported her,sorted.
Karen I understand where your coming from but I’d never report anyone it’s not my place but it wasn’t just her I’ve heard of women unmarried there fellas living with them, drinking and snorting every penny they get and have the cheek to go to Vincent DePaul for help, it’s horrible…
I feel so sorry for the people on the streets who genuinely have nothing for whatever reason these are the people who need help not the foreign nationals who cry poverty and get into there BMW parked outside..
Hey Elaine i have seen it myself,people take advantage of such charities. Unfortunately you cant police the charities.Its not just people on streets.There is students in flats who are trying to study and feed themselves and are going hungry.Be it whether their parents spend their money on drugs or what ever at least food in house will make sure these students eat and the kids whose parents dont spend on them first? Cause surely the kids and the students dont deserve to suffer because of the bad element in society.I have seen what the real people who need it do with what they get, and they are in majority unlike the type you mentioned above.
If you donate food and toys they cant sell on then they cant use you?
p.s Elaine it is your place to report them if you can give their names.Do it without giving your name and leave rest to the charities.They are after all con men women?
But Karen how can you possibly reach everyone,?
I wouldn’t say I was loaded but I am not on the bread line and if I thought I could help someone or a family coming up to Christmas I would in a hart beat, but I think when people donate to charities most of the money foes to admin and wages…
There is focus if you go online can buy a bed for a night or week or what ever for homeless people.When you go in to do your shopping.Grab a few cans of smart food you think would be something someone can eat like spaghetti, beans, soup and drop them to your local church every week.Imagine if everyone who had it did it every week even a fiver worth of food how many people would eat and not suffer?
Thats what i am doing every week from now on.Hope everyone will do same. :) That way no money going near the admins ;)
That’s a great idea Karen, Maby I can organise a food drive in my kids school too.. Now you have me thinking..
Elaine, Brother Kevin in Church St in Dublin is always glad of extra food. They feed about 500 people a day there and give out food parcels also to those in need.
Good for you Elaine was thinking same of my sons school and my other sons college. A kind gesture goes a long way :) Have a lovely Christmas and healthy happy prosperous new year :)
Thank you Karen and the same to you and yours.x
Elaine your right I know people who aren’t short and get cq put in there letter box they don’t even have to go and collect it ,I also know people who are to proud to let any one know there shot
all year round i struggle trying to pay bills but a bag of potatoes ,a tray of beans and a tray of eggs is cheap breakfast dinner and tea.when it comes to christmas and even on my lowest ones and will never ask the st vdp for help or any other charity,yet i know a person who spent 1000 euro on each child for christmas she has two kids and yet asked for a hand out and gets a hamper and vouchers,i seen the vdp go around last christmas to all my neighbours who are very well off ,so i just can not give to charities when i see where its going
No, we must continue with our aid to corrupt Uganda, who spend the money on jet fighters, other 3rd world countries and 1.5 million to the typhoon devastated country. Giving money to poor, suicidal and starving Irish people just does not give us the same sense of self-righteous, pious power-trip. Or the international kudos we think we get from such shows. Let our own starve and die, our sense of power comes from being the best pupil in the UN aid-giving classroom.
My God, it’s come to this!?!?
Imagine if Irish people actually had something to complain about
Kenneth,No need to imagine, there is plenty of evidence of the misery people are suffering in this country.But then again”none as so blind, as does that will not see.
Doesn’t suit the government hacks to acknowledge the suffering around them.
Go to a soup kitchen and share your veiws.I’m sure they’ll be well received.
Imagine in 2013 Irish citizens not having enough to eat because of Irish government policies. You would nearly think we were being ruled by an invader.
Nonsense, people should take some personal responsibility
wow kenneth enda must love people like you and that sorta attitude
Well for you Kenneth you must have full and plenty well maybe if you know a poor family you could share some of your wealth
Kenneth what planet are you living on cant be Eire
I applaud this initiative and I’m saddened that it’s needed.
However, this is a catholic charity. Does anyone know if they distribute food parcels to catholics only? Genuine question.
I don’t think so, Jane. I think (I hope)we learned our lesson from the famine when Protestant relief work schemes required Catholics to convert, at least that’s what I learned in school unless it was propaganda.
I hope so Mary. I heard that the V de P would only distribute food etc to catholics as recently as the 70s and 80s. I don’t know for certain if that’s true, but it made me wonder.
The VDP will try to help anybody who approaches them irrespective of their denomination
I believe that’s true these days, Mary. But what of the charity mentioned in the article above? That’s what I was asking. I could find no mention of their policy on their website.
Crosscare deliver food to a number of charities including Vincent de paul and Focus Ireland homeless shelters, Theres a list on their webside. None of these organisations will ask you your religion on the way in the door.
Rubbish they hand out food to people not religion.
How someone even asked that question is beyond me and obviously never spent a second anywhere near any of the charities.
Their a catholic church they dont differentiate by religion like some religions do.
Policy they are a charity.Their policy is to feed and help those in need. Stupid question and another attempt to hate on Catholicism.Lame
Mary,no that is true and well documented.
Thanks Deborah :)
Calm down Karen, it was a genuine question based on experience of many charities. Not all are as genuinely magnanimous as others, some unfortunately have their own agenda. Since I’d never heard of this charity, and since requests for aid were coming from a bishop and couched in religious terms, I asked a genuine question. No need to jump down my throat.
Sorry Jane,Just so used to people trying to dirty Catholicism and make like catholic religion is some kind of beast. I havent heard of a catholic church ask someone to change religion in return for their help ever in my forty years of life.
They are genuine and for a change taking care of our own people.
Well I wouldn’t imagine it is for catholic ,s only sure they could,nt do that
I wonder how much Archbishop Diarmuid is giving out of his pocket ,I had the pleasure you might call it to work in the bishop,s palace cleaning many years ago and the wealth in it is unbelievable,so Diarmuid and his crew have no worries about food or cooking it for that matter. The cheek of the church to ask us to give to the poor when they have so much and don’t share,I have no problem helping but I resent been asked by the clergy.
Crosscare foodbank had an opportunity in 2011 to expand their foodbank and engage with food suppliers who were more than willing to assist, provided the foodbank premises were upgraded and met food distribution standards. Crosscare were not willing to do that so the foodbank suffered.
Many tv programs have covered their plight, however in this day and and age no leading food brand will engage unless their brand is protected against being sued for food poisoning or whatever. The Crosscare foodbank answers directly to the the bishop via a board of Crosscare directors, who don’t wish to be known publicly.
The expectation of food suppliers is perfectly acceptable. A secure distribution system is paramount to their brand, that is how they operate across Europe.The Archbishop was provided with a blueprint for the development of a decent foodbank at his sprawling property at Clonliffe College in Drumcondra. His committee turned it down. The site also contains a defunct seminary that once accommodated 700 priests in training.
That accommodation block lies empty now. If the Catholic Church was serious about meeting the demands of the poor of Dublin they would stop begging for assistance, and turn their idle buildings around. There is capacity in Clonliffe College for 700 homeless people, and a state of the art foodbank that would encourage the food companies to engage with it.
Dublin is surrounded by many parks, one surrounds Clonliffe College, but you will never see a homeless person in its grounds because security will shoe them away.
The Bishop is disconnected with what the Pope envisages for the future of the Church. I would love to see him lead by example, and stop expecting others to solve the problem. He is quick to reach out to the media, but is not willing to do anything to change the hope of thousands, and it’s time the grounds of Clonliffe College were given to the poor of Dublin.
The Crosscare Mantra is ” We are all created in the likeness of God” just so long as they outside the walls of Clonliffe College! I think Dublin is sick and tired of hearing about the poor when the Bishop is sitting on a pile of buildings and land that could go a long way to solving the problem.
Is there a phone number where one can contribute to
Crosscare foodbank had an opportunity in 2011 to expand their foodbank and engage with food suppliers who were more than willing to assist, provided the foodbank premises were upgraded and met food distribution standards. Crosscare were not willing to do that so the foodbank suffered.
Many tv programs have covered their plight, however in this day and and age no leading food brand will engage unless their brand is protected against being sued for food poisoning or whatever. The Crosscare foodbank answers directly to the the bishop via a board of Crosscare directors, who don’t wish to be known publicly.
The expectation of food suppliers is perfectly acceptable. A secure distribution system is paramount to their brand, that is how they operate across Europe.The Archbishop was provided with a blueprint for the development of a decent foodbank at his sprawling property at Clonliffe College in Drumcondra. His committee turned it down. The site also contains a defunct seminary that once accommodated 700 priests in training.
That accommodation block lies empty now. If the Catholic Church was serious about meeting the demands of the poor of Dublin they would stop begging for assistance, and turn their idle buildings around. There is capacity in Clonliffe College for 700 homeless people, and a state of the art foodbank that would encourage the food companies to engage with it.
Dublin is surrounded by many parks, one surrounds Clonliffe College, but you will never see a homeless person in its grounds because security will shoe them away.
The Bishop is disconnected with what the Pope envisages for the future of the Church. I would love to see him lead by example, and stop expecting others to solve the problem. He is quick to reach out to the media, but is not willing to do anything to change the hope of thousands, and it’s time the grounds of Clonliffe College were given to the poor of Dublin.
The Crosscare Mantra is ” We are all created in the likeness of God” just so long as they outside the walls of Clonliffe College! I think Dublin is sick and tired of hearing about the poor when the Bishop is sitting on a pile of buildings and land that could go a long way to solving the problem.
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