By Sean Ryan - 30 November, 2015
The Redemptorist community in Limerick City has launched its annual poor hamper appeal.
The annual campaign, which was started over 33 years ago by the late Fr Gerry Daly, has grown year on year.
This week, the rector of Mount St Alphonsus, Fr Seamus Enright CSsR asked the public to donate food items for families in need of support over the Christmas holiday season.
Today, 30 November, organisers of the appeal are inviting individuals and community groups in Limerick city and county to come to the Redemptorist church to submit the numbers of hampers needed for Christmas.
Speaking to the Limerick Leader, Fr Enright said that the appeal could not be done without the help of the St Vincent de Paul Society and the network of local volunteers.
“All the work done is voluntary, and all of the sorting and distribution of the hampers is done by volunteers. We work closely with the St Vincent de Paul Society and community groups across the city and county, and we arrange all the food to be put together.”
Fr Enright revealed that last Christmas, more than 6,000 hampers across the city and county were donated, at a cost of more than €130,000.
He complimented primary and secondary schools in Limerick who also contribute to the food appeal.
Teresa Delaney, who has been working with the campaign in Limerick for 33 years, said that there is “huge demand” for the project, though it fluctuates every year.
“It makes them feel that someone is thinking about them out there over Christmas. And the focus is that every family in Limerick has a Christmas dinner.”
She said, “each basic hamper, which contains 12 food items, makes a huge difference to those who received one”.
In an effort to fundraise for the venture, the Redemptorist community is also encouraging groups or individuals to organise a raffle, a coffee morning or cake sale or any event of their choice.
All contributions, no matter how small, are most welcome. Donations, marked Poor Campaign, can be left into the monastery office.
