This article is from page 54 of the 2009-12-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 54 JPG
DOZENS of households in Newmar- ket-on-Fergus will receive special deliveries on Christmas Eve — in the shape of food hampers. Given the poor economic climate, demand for food has doubled this year.
The Obair Social Inclusion Project has teamed up with St Vincent de Paul for this year’s Christmas Food Appeal. Locals in the village have been very generous in donating food and this will be divided into hampers and distributed to families in need.
Trolleys have been set up in the Su- per Valu and Spar supermarkets in the village, while a collection also
took place at the four churches in the parish. The response has been very positive and locals are still being urged to donate non-perishable foods in the run-up to Christmas.
Several groups in the village are represented on the Social Inclusion Project committee. These include The Going Strong group, the Farm- ers’ Market, Meals on Wheels, the scouts, Brothers of Charity and Acorn Women’s Group.
“We were sponsored signs and money from Obair to advertise the food appeal and we have put signs on trolleys in our two supermarkets. They will put together hamper bas- kets and give them out on Christmas
Eve,’ explained co-ordinator Siob- han O’Driscoll.
She said that the demand has in- creased this year, compared to last year.
“We are hoping to do between 30 and 40 hampers. They will be given to the most vulnerable in the vil- lage such as the elderly or the un- employed. We have an increase in demand. It would be double what it was last year due to the economic climate. People are very good. They are coming in every day with new toys and books,” she said.
While sufficient toys have already been donated, foods will be accepted until Wednesday of this week.
“We are looking for non-perishable foods such as biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar, selection boxes, pasta, rice, jam and honey. People are great in these times,” she said.
While St Vincent de Paul has spear- headed a food appeal for many years, last year was the first time that the Social Inclusion Project got involved and the response has been phenom- enal.
“We started last year. There are a lot of new families in the village and there are a lot of elderly people. Some people don’t have a lot,’ said Ms O’Driscoll. Anyone who wishes to make enquiries about the food ap- peal should phone 061 368030.