To mark St Valentine’s Day recently, the children of St Mary’s Church of Ireland School Carrigaline, County Cork,  once again this year, brought in items for Cork Penny Dinners.

Gifts of food and supplies collected and delivered to the school

Cork Penny Dinners was founded during Famine times as a soup kitchen. These amazing people currently serve well over 1000 meals per week, compared to around 150 a week two years ago. Their aim is a simple one –  to give everyone who calls to their centre a hot nourishing midday meal. In addition, their clients get sandwiches and fruit to take away as an evening meal.There’s an open door and a warm welcome.  Their volunteers come from all walks of life; nurses, truck drivers, scientists, general operatives, musicians, teachers, students, solicitors, unemployed people, retired people, clergy and so on. The volunteers are from many nationalities and have many different religions or none; but what they all have is empathy for their fellow human beings, a willingness to offer a hand in support .

Gifts packed

‘Love your neighbour for St Valentine’s Day’ is an annual event for St Mary’s National School in Carrigaline.  A packed van full of dry goods and kitchen supplies were much appreciated by the hard working staff in the venerable and highly-respected Cork institution.

Van filled and delivery made