A series of Christmas Day charity dinners have been held across the country, with organizers saying demand is as high as ever.
Around 5,000 lunches and dinners were prepared, served and delivered by volunteers to those living alone and in need in Dublin.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the Cork Penny Dinners in Cork said it was their busiest Christmas yet.
During the pandemic, the Knights of St Columba have been preparing meals in a pop-up kitchen at Dublin’s Mansion House, but this year they have returned to their usual home at the RDS.
Paddy Sheridan, chairman of the organizing committee for the Knights of St. Columba’s Christmas dinner, said that for the past two years “we were at the forecourt of the Mansion House because we couldn’t have the seated dinner due to the pandemic restrictions”, reports RTE.
However, this year is their 98th Christmas dinner and some 160 volunteers have hosted over 250 people at the RDS.
Mairead Ashe was one of many volunteers helping with RDS. She said it was a “magical” atmosphere.
“You know treating people with the dignity and respect they deserve. We get more out of it … it’s a magic time,” she added, reports RTE.
For those who failed to reach the RDS, the Knights of St. Columba also sent out more than 4,000 Christmas lunches to people across the city.
In Cork, organizers of Penny Dinners said there was phenomenal support for the service.
Caitriona Twomey, organizer of Penny Dinners, said the demand for meals from those in need is extremely high, but that “the Little Miracle on Hanover Street” was still happening.
Ms Twomey said: “The cost of living has obviously impacted people but the amount of love, support kindness and understanding has been phenomenal. Everyone has rowed in to help us and help all who are in need, so we’ve had our miracle for this year and it’s still happening,” reports RTE.
The Cork volunteers started their work early this morning and continue preparing dinner until late in the evening.
Meanwhile Margaret Brown and her group of volunteers in Dublin were preparing meals for the 36th year of Dun Laoghaire’s Christmas dinner.
The team, which was based at Blackrock Rugby Club, delivered hundreds of meals to people living alone in Dublin.
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