Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is asking parishioners throughout the
Archdiocese of Dublin to donate food to help stock Crosscare Food Banks
in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This is the fourth Annual Diocesan Christmas Food Appeal.
Demand on the Food Banks continues to increase and the situation is once again urgent.
Last year, thanks to the enormous generosity of parishioners, Crosscare distributed more than 10,000 hampers – over 1,200 tonnes of non-perishable food items and hygiene products to those most in need, especially families.
As demand for food remains high it is hoped that people will respond in a similar manner on the first weekend in December when collections begin.
Crosscare, is the social care agency of the Archdiocese of Dublin.
It operates seven Food Banks around Dublin – the number of people seeking food supplies during these winter months is particularly demanding and staff are struggling to keep ahead.
In a letter to all priests and parishes in the Archdiocese, Archbishop Martin has strongly commended Crosscare’s initiative, he added, ” Throughout the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which has just closed, Pope Francis has called on the faithful to continue to practice new works of mercy, and to find new ways to give expression to the traditional works reminding us: “the door of mercy of our heart continues to remain wide open. I am asking you once again to help those in need by assisting in the collection of vital food and essentials for the Crosscare Food Banks.”
Crosscare Food Manager Michael McDonagh said that they are relying on people to support this latest appeal from Archbishop Martin to ensure they can get food and other household items to families in weeks ahead.
Each parish is asked to repeat last year’s generous response by bringing non-perishable food items to their local parish Church when coming to Mass on the weekend of 3/4 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.