Cork charity seeks food donations
Cork Penny Dinners operates from a 100-year-old premises on Hanover St serves 120-150 meals a day to needy people.
The charity issued a fresh appeal yesterday amid growing strain on its service.
Trustee Florence Harrisson said demand had risen 400% in the past three years, with a marked change in the people catered for.
“We greatly welcome donations of food; we have regular donors who are immensely generous but the pressure to provide 1,000 meals a week is a constant struggle.
“Previously, we would have served meals predominantly to middle-aged and older men living in temporary accommodation or on their own with little or no cooking facilities.
“That has changed now, we are serving younger people, whole families and people who were previously self employed that find they cannot avail of social welfare.”
Diners are served soup, a main course, dessert, tea and coffee, and the option of taking a sandwich away to eat later.
“Nothing is elaborate, we serve good quality, simple and nourishing food,” said Ms Harrison. “Our policy is not to ask questions, so if you turn up in an Armani suit with a briefcase, you will be served just as everyone else. Equally, serving food at tables to our diners is important, for people who may be looked down on, it’s lovely for them to be served a meal.”
The charity has also been issuing appeals for donations to its building fund as it seeks an alternate city-centre location.
* Make donations at www.corkpennydinners.ie
