Crosscare has helped over 3,000 families and individuals needing food support this year, including 1500 children.
As the costs of day-to-day food and household items have remained high throughout the year, more families have come to us for support.
Almost 3,000 people, including 1500 children, have needed basic food supplies and support; over a quarter of those coming to Crosscare’s Food Poverty Service accessing food support are parenting alone.
In our revamped community Café in Portland Row, staff will have served nearly 10,000 affordable, nutritious meals by the end of this year.
As families struggle to cope with the cost of Christmas, the number of people seeking help is likely to spike in the weeks ahead.
Many of the families coming to us are from hard-to-reach groups that experience extreme social isolation and have multiple barriers to accessing healthcare, social support, education, and employment.
They receive essential food and household supplies to those who need them while, at the same time, are offered advice and help with other issues that have led them into difficulties, such as unemployment, addiction, disability, domestic violence or high rents.
This service focuses on giving people a hand up—and not just a handout—a pathway back to financial independence and the ability to budget for themselves.
Food poverty service manager Paula Harris said that life can quickly be difficult for people in the current climate. “Last month, we had a woman with two children; she was doing well in life, working in full-time employment – when she developed a health problem and had to change to part-time work. Very soon, things began to spiral for her – she fell behind in her rent, and bills started to mount. Thankfully, our caseworkers were able to spend time getting her rent and other support to help her get back on her feet and keep her away from long-term poverty.
Other people we see are just about coping on a week-to-week basis, but then the heating might break down, or many bills arrive at the same time – suddenly they find themselves cutting back on food and coming to us – many for the first time in their lives.”
All donations received will help our Food Poverty Service, which works directly with families and individuals needing food and support.
Anyone who wishes to support the appeal can call 01-8360011, or send a cheque or postal order to Crosscare Christmas Appeal, 2 Saint Mary’s Place North, D07 Y768.
or donate via our website https://crosscare.ie/how-you-can-help/donate/
