Long queues developed in Dublin city centre today as the Capuchin Day Centre handed out tickets for its annual Christmas voucher scheme.
Around 3,500 tickets are expected to be distributed over the course of the day, reports RTE.
Capuchin Day Centre manager Alan Bailey said he had never witnessed demand at this level before.
He said people began lining up from 10pm last night to make sure they would receive the €50 Dunnes Stores voucher, reports RTE.
Distribution of the tickets began at 6.30am this morning, with queues stretching along Bow Street, turning onto Nicholas Avenue and continuing as far as Church Street.
The tickets issued this morning will be exchanged next Friday, when recipients return to collect their vouchers, reports RTE.
The vouchers can be used to purchase food or clothing.
Volunteers working at the centre this morning said this marks the first Christmas without founder Brother Kevin Crowley, who passed away earlier this year, reports RTE.
“I’m over 50 years involved at some level or other with the Capuchin Day Centre, but this is our first year without Brother Kevin,” centre manager Alan Bailey said,
“I suppose it’s a testament to him that we’re still here and that we can meet this demand, reports RTE.
“We’re saddened at his loss but we keep his work going.”
Director of the day centre Fr Kevin Kiernan said attendance numbers today are higher than they were last year, reports RTE.
“I haven’t seen it this busy,” he said, reports RTE.
“We get a broad spectrum of people. We get the people that we’ve known for years. We get newcomers. We get people who are just like, it can happen to any of us. So we cater for all, we welcome all people, and we don’t ask questions, and that’s very important, because we actually don’t know what’s going on in people’s lives. Like if you came up dressed in a pin striped suit and wanted a voucher, we give you a voucher because we won’t ask. We don’t know what’s going on in your life. I think that’s the best policy,” reports RTE.
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