Cork Penny Dinners has launched its ‘Just One Meal’ appeal, highlighting that members of the public can now help those in Cork who need a nutritious meal with a simple donation of €5, the cost of preparing a meal at the James Street charity.
The message behind the charity’s appeal is simple: €5 can provide a warm and nutritious meal for one person at Cork Penny Dinners and now, donating is easy with the addition of a new donation portal on the charity’s website (corkpennydinners.org).
Through the continued generosity of the people of Cork, the charity can sustain its vital 365-day service, ensuring people experiencing food poverty and hunger have access to food, dignity and support throughout the year. Thanks to the recent reintroduction of the sit-down service, people can also come inside and enjoy some company with their meal.
APPEAL FOR SUPPORT
Founded in 1988, Cork Penny Dinners has supported generations of people across Cork, providing hot meals, food hampers and essential support to those who need it most.
The charity’s work continues every day of the year, with demand for its services growing and community support playing a vital role in allowing the organisation to continue meeting that need.
Speaking of the launch of the ‘Just One Meal’ appeal, chairperson of Cork Penny Dinners, Gary Heslin, outlined the importance of all donations, small or big.
“Every day at Cork Penny Dinners, we see the importance of a warm meal and the difference that kindness and community support can make. The ‘Just One Meal’ appeal is about showing that even small contributions can have a meaningful impact. By donating the price of one meal, just €5, can provide a warm and nutritious meal for someone in Cork who needs it.”
MEALS – ‘SAVING LIVES’
Lisa Murphy, a volunteer at the charity who has lived experience as a Cork Penny Dinners service user, recalls a time when she was dependant on the service to see her through a difficult period in her life.
“I relied on this charity 24 years ago when I lived on the streets of Cork City. My chronic alcoholism left me homeless, and I depended on the food at Cork Penny Dinners every single day for two and a half years, but also the dignity that I was shown and the company and care I always received here.
Now that I’m a volunteer at the charity and my life is not like that anymore – thanks to the support and recovery from the good people of Cork, I feel so blessed to be able to give back and I urge anyone who can afford just €5 to donate Just One Meal – that meal will save a life in Cork,” she said.
Through ‘Just One Meal’, members of the public can donate the cost of one meal, €5, through the Cork Penny Dinners website at corkpennydinners.org/justonemeal/
