By Sarah Mac Donald - 27 December, 2014
Staff in Dublin’s Pro Cathedral are appealing to the public to donate unwanted presents to homeless people.
If you didn’t get a gift receipt for the radio alarm clock you unwrapped and don’t want St Mary’s Pro Cathedral has made space at the crib available to take in any unwanted gifts such as games, clothing, hats, scarves and toiletries.
The unwanted gifts are taken into storage by Crosscare – the social care agency of the Dublin Diocese – who redistribute them as gifts to people in their homeless and residential projects this time next year.
Following the donation of a Dublin diocesan building earlier this month, Crosscare staff opened a new hostel for homeless people in just two weeks, providing 35 extra beds for those without a home this Christmas.
Many of the unwanted gifts collected at the Pro last year were given out yesterday, to people estranged from their families or living alone.
Pro Cathedral administrator, Fr Damian O Reilly said that despite the hours spent choosing and wrapping it is inevitable that hundreds of presents will simply not be used.
“By bringing us your unwanted gifts, we can ensure that the time, money and care that went into buying them result in bringing happiness to someone in need next Christmas.”
People can leave their unwanted gifts at the crib in St Mary’s Pro Cathedral from now until 6 January.
