Megan Ward launches a Christmas food appeal for the Capuchin Day Centre

Megan Ward from Belcruit is undertaking a food appeal for the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin. 

The food items suitable for donation are non-perishable, such as canned food, dried pasta, rice and cereal, but no glass containers. The drop-off point is St Mary's Hall, Kincasslagh on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10  December from 11 am to 2 pm. 

“The reason I chose this service was I was at mass in Leitir one evening and Fr Eddy Gallagher spoke about a collection for the Capuchin Day Centre, I decided I would like to do it for where I am from in the lower Rosses,” Megan told DonegalLive.

“The goal is to get as much food as possible up to Dublin. We are appealing to anyone that can donate, please be as generous as possible as it could feed hundreds or more homeless in the Dublin area.”

Megan and her father, Adrian will be making the trip to Dublin the following week on Wednesday, December 13 with all the items donated.

Adrian Ward (left) and Megan Ward (middle) alongside the staff at the Capuchin Day Centre

The Capuchin Day Centre located on Bow Street in Dublin city centre was founded by Brother Kevin Crowley in 1969. It provides a service for homeless people in Dublin, giving them access to food, shelter, hygiene facilities and medical services. The day centre provides around 700 meals a day inclusive of breakfast and dinner and every Wednesday, the centre donates 1400 food parcels to those in need. 

Megan previously did a food appeal last Christmas, for the Capuchin Day Centre and provided meals for numerous homeless people in the Dublin area.

Megan with the food collected for last year's donation to the Capuchin Day Centre

“Last year, on the same weekend we did a food appeal, we went up in the snow and delivered the food to Dublin. 

“We managed to fill my Dad’s transit van with food supplies which was beyond our goal.

“When we arrived, they gave us a full tour of the Capuchin Day Centre, I hope they give us another tour this year to see their progress.”

Megan and her father Adrian have previously engaged in charity work, “my Dad was a volunteer for over 10 years with Haven, building houses in Haiti and I took part in 2018 we went out together and we built a school.

“Ever since then, it kind of hit home that a small little thing you can do can help a lot.”