The Cross Care Centre in Holles Row is one of five centres in Dublin which was originally run by the Bon Secours Sisters.

Cross Care, which is situated behind Holles Street Hospital, is a non-profit catering organisation with more than twenty two dedicated staff who are at hand to help anyone who arrives at their door.
Sister Rupert, who is at the Centre each day, helps with the everyday running of the kitchen. The general public can come and enjoy a four course meal for as little as 50p.

Sister Rupert explained very clearly that anyone who visits the Centre is treated with dignity and respect. She also feels that the "clientele," as she put it herself, is like a community in itself.

With the combined staff of Des Mooney the head chef, Paula Lawless and Gemma Mullen assistant chefs, sixteen FÁS CE workers and kitchen staff Doreen and Esther, they all work hand in hand with the manager Jack Dunphy to serve up to one hundred and forty meals a day.

Cross Care began to employ workers from FÁS three years ago. As well as their busy work schedule in the Centre, the trainees are also involved in a placement programme. When the individual person ends their scheme, whether it is one or two years, they would have enough skills and experience in food and beverage to eventually apply for full time employment.

Cross Care also cater for the invalid and housebound people in the City Quay and Haddington Road areas in the form of the much needed meals on wheels.

The Centre will close on Christmas Day but is planning a full Christmas Lunch with all the festive trimmings on 24th December. It will then reopen on St. Stephen's Day.

All the people who may benefit from Cross Care's excellent services are more than welcome to visit this Christmas and the staff would like to wish all a Happy New Year. Best wishes from Sister Rupert, all the Fás trainees and the staff at Crosscare. As well as the work in providing low cost meals the Fás trainees optain further training in catering skills which are much in demand.