Almost 2,000 Christmas food parcels were handed out at the Capuchin Friary in Dublin's Bow Street today, the highest amount in four years.
The Friary said the free food was handed to people from all walks of life, including those they described as the new poor in need of assistance.
Gardaí were on hand to help manage the queue that formed from early morning for the free parcels and bags of basic provisions to help people get through Christmas.
Three years ago around 400 people arrived at the centre for the annual food handout.
This morning, an initial 1,500 parcels were distributed and more were quickly assembled to meet demand.
Those who lined up for the food came from many different backgrounds.
Brother Kevin Crowley said the "new poor" would previously have been considered middle class, but in these straitened time need the support of services such as these.
