Pictured at the launch of the Redemptorists 50th Christmas Hamper Appeal on O’Connell Avenue, Limerick is Fr. Seamus Enright, Rector at the Redemptorists, Marie King, Bus Eireann and Dylan O’Donnell, Cillian McGrath, Faye Frawley and Grace Geary, sixth and first class pupils at the Model School, Limerick. Donate online at www.RedsHampers.ie. Photograph: Keith Wiseman
A CHRISTMAS APPEAL which has been in operation for the past fifty years have observed a fifteen percent increase in demand for hampers.
Prior to the cost of living crisis, CSO figures indicated that eight percent of people in the Mid-West will experience food poverty.
Running for the past five decades, the Redemptorists Christmas hamper appeal has the principle aim of having food on every table in Limerick and the surrounding areas at Christmas.
Fr Seamus Enright of the Redemptorists estimates that approximately 300,000 Christmas hampers have been distributed since 1972. Speaking at this year’s launch, Fr Enright stressed that this figure would not have been met were it not for the “extraordinary generosity” of the public.
“We are depending on people’s generosity again this year. Christmas 2022 is going to be a particularly challenging one. The demand for hampers has increased by 15% and the cost of the hampers is up 11%. Children go to school hungry in limerick every morning. People go to bed hungry every night. Older people have to decide between having something to eat and lighting a fire.
Please help us to help others at Christmas. Every little helps,” he stated.
A collection will take place in the Dunnes Stores Jetland Centre this Friday (December 23rd). The Christmas hamper donation centre will be open at the Redemptorists from Monday to Saturday (9.30am to 4pm). Donate online at www.redshampers.ie
