Dundalk's St. Patrick's Parish Soup Kitchen launches annual fundraiser
Support St. Patrick's Soup Kitchen this Friday
Volunteers from St. Patrick's Parish Soup Kitchen/Food Parcels and their supporters will be shaking their buckets throughout Dundalk this Friday for their annual fundraiser.
The cost of living crisis has had a major impact on the group who have seen the cost of running both services increase in line with inflation (particularly the cost of the Food Parcels) and an increase in the numbers attending.
They rely completely on donations from the public and local businesses to operate their soup kitchen Monday to Saturday from 7-8pm and on Sundays from 2-3pm when their volunteers provide a hot meal and drink.
Individuals and families in need are also provided with basic food essentials like bread, milk, eggs, cereal, pasta/rice, pasta/curry sauce, teabags and biscuits at the back of the Soup Kitchen every Friday from 10-11am.
There's been a drop-off in recent years in the amount of food donations being made to the Christmas appeal so those who are clearing out their cupboards for Christmas are being encouraged to think of the Food Parcels.
Non perishable items can be left at the parish office on weekdays from 10am to 1.30pm or the Soup Kitchen during its normal opening hours.
Volunteers will also be there next week from Monday to Friday (16th - 20th) from 12pm to 4pm for those wishing to drop off food donations.
Parallel to the bucket collection a full day of carol singing is also planned for the Long Walk Shopping Centre with from 10-11.30 Ciara Casey, Joanne Kieran and friends, 11.30 to 12 Coláiste Rís singers and musicians, 12 to 1pm Men’s Shed Singers, 1pm to 2pm Ukulele Band accompanied by CBS choir, 2pm to 3pm St Vincent’s Choir, 3pm to 4pm Ann Carroll and friends.
The annual church gate collection for St. Patrick's Parish Soup Kitchen/Food Parcels will take place on Christmas Eve.