By Cian Molloy - 28 November, 2016
Mass-goers in the Dublin Archdiocese are being asked to bring some food along with them to church next Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
Visitors to the Dublin Archdiocese often remark on the fact that churches there have two plate collections: one for the support of priests and one for Share, the diocesan development fund. But next weekend there will be a third collection, a collection of non-perishable food items and hygiene products.
These goods will be used, in the run-up to Christmas, to help stock food banks that help the neediest families and individuals in the archdiocese. In total there are seven food banks in Dublin operated by Crosscare.
The charity, originally named the Catholic Social Service Conference, was founded 75 years ago by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid as a measure to combat hardship during the Second Word War.
Last year, a similar food collection organised in aid of Crosscare led to 10,000 hampers being distributed to those in need. In total, 12,000 tonnes of non-perishable food and hygiene products were made available to help the less well off.
This year, Crosscare is hoping for a similar, or better, response to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin’s call for help, as the agency’s staff are struggling to cope with the demand from people suffering real economic hardship.
In an appeal for help, sent to all priests and parishes in the archdiocese, which in addition to County Dublin includes most of Wicklow and fragments of Kildare, Carlow, Laois and Wexford, Dr Martin said: “Throughout the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which has just closed, Pope Francis called on the faithful to continue to practise new works of mercy, and to find new ways to give expression to the traditional works, reminding us ‘the door of mercy of our heart continues to remain wide open’.
“I am asking you once again to help those in need by assisting in the collection of vital food and essentials for the Crosscare Food Banks.”
Crosscare
Crosscare food manager, Michael McDonagh, says the types of food most needed are: pasta/rice, fruit juice, tea/coffee, soup, sugar, powdered milk, tinned meat/fish, tinned veg/fruit, packaged dessert, biscuits and hygiene products.
For more information see: http://www.crosscare.ie/.
