Caitriona Twomey, Head of Cork Penny Dinners has been awarded Cork Person of the Month for April 2019 to mark her outstanding contribution to the organisation, which serves up to 2,000 hot meals a week.
Cork Penny Dinners is one of Ireland’s longest standing charitable organisations. Formally established in 1888, the charity is committed to providing the hungry of Cork with hot meals seven days a week, all year round. Services are free of charge to those in need.
The organisation now serves over 2,000 freshly made meals every week and the organisation has recently begun opening at night to facilitate Cork’s homeless.
In March 2019, the charity was awarded the Irish Food Writers Guild Community Food Award marking their consistent, significant contribution to Cork City’s homeless community.
Having worked with the organisation as a full-time volunteer for several years, Caitriona’s spirit in helping those less fortunate is infectious, and has seen the number of meals served, rise from 150 before the recession to 2,000 today.
Speaking about Cork Penny Dinners, and being honoured with this award, Caitriona Twomey said: “I am so proud to see the people of Cork getting behind such a great cause. Cork Penny Dinners is a vital part of our community.
Inspiring cause
“As citizens, we are all responsible for making our country a better place. It is our responsibility to help those in need, and I am so lucky to have such a great team behind me dedicated to this inspiring cause.”
Pat Lemasney Southern (sponsors) said Caitriona’s commitment to helping fellow Corkonians in times of difficulty, is ‘truly heart-warming’.
“Caitriona is more than a volunteer. She is a leader, a friend, a mentor and a confidant to all who enter the doors of Cork Penny Dinners. Her positive approach towards helping others makes her a truly deserving candidate for this award.”
Caitríona Twomey’s name will go forward with the other monthly winners for possible selection as the Cork Person of the Year 2019 at a gala awards lunch, which will be held in Rochestown Park Hotel in January 2020.
