One of the country's oldest charities is moving to new premises to meet what it says is the growing demand for its services.
Cork Penny Dinners provides food, clothing and other supports to people who are struggling or homeless.
The charity has moved to new premises at the Croí na Laoí Catríona Twomey Wellness Centre on James Street in Cork city centre.
This will allow it to expand its services from hot meals and warm clothing, to health and mental health workshops, wellness support, arts and drama for the thousands of people it serves.
The new premises is not far from the charity's existing facilities on Little Hanover Street. These will be refurbished once the move to the Croí na Laoí centre is complete.
Cork Penny Dinners says the need for its services is greater now than ever.
"Demand is growing all the time," said Cork Penny Dinners Volunteer and Coordinator, Caitríona Twomey.
"The's the cost of living crisis. It's a lot of things, the rental market out there at the moment, mortgages. People are just strapped. So people come here. They have to come here for food.
"At the heart of everything we do are the people in need that we serve, and having these additional facilities in Croí na Laoi demonstrates our commitment to servicing and supporting people in need, now and into the future," Ms Twomey said.
"While Little Hanover Street is closing for refurbishment, to everyone coming through our door we promise the same supportive and welcoming environment they would have experienced before, where a sense of community and belonging is offered to everyone.
"Sometimes a cup of tea, a handshake or a friendly chat can go a long way towards healing the loneliness and isolation that is a big issue for many that come our way. This dedication to the individual needs of the person is something that will never change," she said.
Cork Penny Dinners was first registered as a charity soup kitchen in 1888 and can trace its history back to the famine.
Today it provides 3,000 meals per week for people in Cork.
"With our new premises we can offer even more services, including training, health and wellness support, recovery meetings, mental health workshops, arts and drama classes, all of which can provide vital stepping stones to help people out of homelessness or into employment," Gary Heslin, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at Cork Penny Dinners, said.
He paid tributes to the volunteers who provide the charity's services.
"Throughout the years, the charity has evolved into a vital community resource dedicated to addressing food poverty and homelessness. All of this would not be possible without the dedicated group of volunteers who give of their time so generously," he said.
"There is a high level of responsibility of those involved in the charity - volunteers, staff and trustees - to ensure that everything that we do benefits the people that we serve and that funds raised by the generous people of Cork are invested wisely.
"Investing in infrastructure to improve our services is critical," he said.
"I have no doubt that the investments already made in James Street and in the future in Little Handover Street will ensure that the great work of Cork Penny Dinners continues for generations to come."
All the services of Cork Penny Dinners are provided free of charge. The charity provides hot meals from 9am daily, seven days a week.
The charity is governed by a team of trustees and is supported largely by volunteers. It relies on the generosity of community fundraisers, local businesses, schools, clubs and individuals for donations and bequests to sustain its operations.
Cork Penny Dinners will be open on James Street every day from now on, including Christmas Day.