A volunteer group in Nenagh are putting the finishing touches to preparations for the annual Christmas Day Dinner.
The Nenagh Community Christmas Day Dinner Group will provide meals to more than 300 people over the festive season.
The service makes sure that people and households who are struggling will get a Christmas dinner this year.
Organiser Sandra Farrell says they will also be holding their final food bank before Christmas this morning.
“We are planning to give out 250 food parcels. I know we hear of the Capuchin Care Centre in Dublin within half an hour they give out 3,000 food parcels – but Nenagh is a small town and we’re giving out 250 parcels within two hours. And we may run out of food and that’s why I say to people if you ever want to drop in food to the Food Bank – non-perishable items – we’re always delighted to take it because we only have a certain amount of food to give out every time.”
Now in its 9th year there’s a slight change this year with the meals being delivered on Christmas Eve.
Organiser Sandra Farrell says despite Ireland’s image as a prosperous country poverty is still very much an issue.
She says people should not be afraid to look for help.
“A young mother in her 20s reached out to one of our volunteers – she had nothing. She had put €50 in her pre-pay power top-up just to keep heat in the apartment for her 22 month old child and herself. She has nothing for Christmas. And she’s just one of many, many, many people that have the courage to come and ask us. And I really implore people to come and approach us. Its confidential – if you need support we’ll help where we can and when we can.”
