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Increased demand for Christmas meals provided by charities

Updated / Sunday, 25 Dec 2016 21:22
Thousands of meals were served or delivered to those in need
Thousands of meals were served or delivered to those in need

Hundreds of people have been served Christmas dinner at the RDS in Dublin.

The Knights of Columbanus provided 3,500 meals, an increase of 500 on last year, feeding around 500 people at the RDS while hundreds of meals were also delivered to shelters and those in need.

Demand on the service has increased dramatically in recent years, from 1,200 meals in 2011 to 3,500 this year.

Around 350 volunteers helped at the dinner service - which caters not only for the homeless but for those living alone or in need this Christmas.

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Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin, who attended the dinner, said there were great inequalities in society and he urged people to reflect on their circumstances. 

Meanwhile, several other charity events took place in Dublin and across the country.

In Dublin city centre 40 people were expected for Christmas dinner at Apollo House, which was prepared by four chefs who volunteered to come in and cook.

Presents were also brought in and some of the musicians involved in the Home Sweet Home group which organised the occupation of the building planned to come in and play a music session.

Glen Hansard and Jim Sheridan were amongst those who arrived to the building this afternoon.

In Cork, over 100 Christmas dinners were served at the Simon shelter, while Cork Penny Dinners expected to serve over 200 people in need.

The annual Goal mile event took place at venues across Ireland, while other charities have organised fundraising runs, walks and swims.

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