THE GOREY Community Social Services Council reported the biggest demand on its Christmas Food Appeal in decades.
The Appeal, which has operated in Gorey since 1977, said this year the demand was greater than ever, with resources and efforts stretched to the limit.
While the Council were delighted with the amount of food donated from the public, it was less than previous years, and with the numbers seeking assistance increased, every effort was made to do as much as possible.
The Council said, it provided as much assistance as it could, and hoped it brought people a little bit of extra relief in the run up to Christmas.
The Food Appeal is supported by a number of organisations, with the Gorey & District Lions Club holding food collections in the town’s three major supermarkets, Pettitts Supervalu, Dunnes Stores and Tesco.
They reported a good response with public support coming forward to ensure a large quantity of produce collected.
This food was supplemented by the TwoCan Food Appeal which ran in four local schools – Gorey Educate Together National School, Gorey Central School, Saint Joseph’s Primary School and Gorey Community School.
Students were asked to donate two cans, or indeed any food produce towards the Appeal. The students showed great community spirit and supported by donating a great range of produce.
A third source of food, hundreds of turkeys and chickens, were funded with the financial assistance of the EBS Building Society through their Community Fund.
The Gorey Community Social Services Council was responsible for the distribution of the food hampers and they had a team of volunteers to process the collected food.
The food was packed in premises kindly provided by the Saint Columba’s Senior Citizens Club using packing material donated by Stafford’s Bakeries.
Meanwhile drivers from the Gorey Meals-On-Wheels service along with other volunteer deliverers distributed the food hampers around North Wexford.
A spokesperson for the Social Services Council said they were delighted with the response this year – the Appeal involves numerous organisations coming together and replies on great public support, it’s a real community effort responding to local needs.
“We expected the demand this year to be high, given the financial difficulties people are experiencing. The Society is delighted to be able to respond and thanked all those groups and people who worked so hard to support their efforts this year.”
Full story in The Gorey Echo.
