Homeless charity Capuchin Day Centre, Dublin says there has been an enormous demand for Christmas food packages this year.
The centre handed out nearly 3,000 Christmas food packages today, with people queueing from 6.30am this morning.
The centre distribute food packages weekly to struggling families, but say that Christmas demand is always extremely high due to financial pressure.
Brother Kevin of the Capuchin Day Centre, said they do not query a thing of any person reaching out for help.
He said: “Our main concern is for the dignity and respect of everybody that comes to the centre, I know how difficult it must be for people to stand in the queue.
“We have people queuing here this morning from 6.30am on and it was really very cold.
“Only for people being in need, they certainly wouldn’t be queuing up for food parcels in 2016, which I think is absolutely appalling to think that we still have so many people in need.”