A young mother who missed out on a ticket for a Christmas food hamper from Dublin’s Capuchin Day Centre on Wednesday has been identified and will “be looked after”, centre chief executive has said.
Brian Friel said the woman had returned to the centre on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after its staff ran out of food parcels and tickets for Christmas hampers within hours of opening. She had been among over 3,000 people who had queued at the centre, off Smithfield, but was among a few dozen who missed out.
People had queued from 4am, with the distribution of tickets for Christmas hampers beginning from 7am. All 3,000 were gone by 9.30am. Manager Alan Bailey said: “We have never run out this early.”
The young woman, who had arrived shortly before 9.30am told The Irish Times on Wednesday she was “distraught”. Wiping away tears she said: “There is nothing for my child. My child has special needs. I am on my own.” She said she had had to wait until her son had gone to his special school before she came to the centre.
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Mr Friel said on Thursday she had been reassured she would received a hamper, adding: “In line with our mission that no one will go hungry, anyone who was there on Wednesday and missed out will be taken care of.”
He said there had been an increase in donations, through the charity’s website and by phone, following news of “unprecedented” demand for Christmas food support.
Asked what was driving the surge in demand he said: “Poverty. There are a lot of fancy words you can use, but that is it at the root of it. Poverty.”
On Thursday there were further queues. While one was of those for lunch, another was predominantly of mothers and children and for toy vouchers.
About 50 women, some with small children, waited in the slow-moving line to a hatch where the centre’s family co-ordinator checked their names on a printed list. “We know all these families,” said Mr Friel.
Mothers’ identification was verified before they received a €40 Smyth’s voucher per child. More than 500 such vouchers will be distributed before Christmas, costing more than €20,000.
In all 303 families, including 529 children, are registered with the centre for supports, which includes a weekly distribution of nappies and infant formula.
“We have a system where the parent registers with photo identification and they provide a copy of the baby’s birth certificate,” said Mr Friel. About 200 tins of infant formula are distributed weekly – at a cost of €200,000 a year.
Mothers said on Thursday the toy vouchers were “very helpful”.
“The expense of Christmas is a lot. Everything is gone so expensive,” said one with a baby boy and two-year-old girl.
“My daughter is 15,” said another. Her husband left Ireland several years ago and she had been “years in the courts” unsuccessfully pursuing him for maintenance.
“I have €260 a week after rent is taken out. It is very hard on my own. My daughter has anxiety, always asking why her father won’t answer her.” Her daughter wanted the Roblox computer game for Christmas, she said.
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