Anyone who has been through the experience of being homeless in the greater Dublin area will know that along with the trauma of trying to find a roof over your head, there is another problem, a very simple one– food.
Trying to obtain a simple, nourishing meal is no longer a distressing experience thanks to the dinner houses which are located all over the city.
Cross Care is a social care agency affiliated with the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin. The Food Centres offer sit-down breakfasts and lunches on a daily basis for those in need. The centres provide hot meals which are both satisfying and in some cases completely free.
The list is endless. The organisations which provide this service include the Simon Community who are superb in their ‘Soup Run’ venture. They head off at night time to the homeless who have not had a morsel touch their lips all day long due to their addiction to drink and drugs.
To see the car pull up with volunteers with rucksacks full to the brim with soup flasks, plastic cups, sandwiches, crisps and chocolate bars for a simple treat is just heaven on earth to any poor unfortunate in this crisis.
The other groups include: ALONE, Focus Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association, Women’s Refuge, The Salvation Army, Alzheimer Day Centres, Little Sisters of the Poor, ‘Penny Dinners’ in Cumberland Street, Mendicity Institution Trust in Island Street, and I am glad to say the Capuchin Day Centre– ‘Brother Luke’s’.
Gerry and Fran are stalwarts on door duty at Brother Luke’s from early in the morning until close of catering at 3pm every day except Sunday.
Everyone filters in on a regular basis and receives a ticket. All are welcomed by the sunny smiles of the staff who dish up soup, hot dinner, dessert, and piping mugs of tea. A lot of mixed races also join the queue. It’s a place for everyone to meet up with no illegal substances on board, and to get together in a safe and secure environment.
Regularly, you can also get a take-away of packages of fruit, biscuits and even if you miss dinner hour, the staff can rustle up a hot dinner to take away on your travels.
I often met my friend Denis who in his early 80s toddling down from Cork Street, to meet his pals for a bit of banter and to quell the loneliness he feels living on his own. The company alone and his hot bacon and cabbage make his day. Everything is always civilised, and if there is any trouble it won’t be tolerated. The guilty parties will be dealt with.
Food Poverty in Ireland was highlighted as one of major concern. To lose these services would be devastating for the underprivileged among us.
In January, President McAleese attended the annual dinner organised by the Lions Club held in the Irish Life Centre, Abbey Street and along with a full band there was a great night had by all.
She made a wonderful speech and talked to the homeless individually. Of course, the trolleys of Guinness brought out at the end of the night went down a treat. On leaving, you could collect a goody bag, just simple toiletries that would mean the world to anyone living on the cold streets.
Long may the dinner houses remain. There is no need for anyone to go hungry. They prove that there is help for the poor in Ireland, and there is action for social justice.