From Dublin to Wexford, Bluebell foodbank delivers

FROM humble beginnings at the start of the pandemic, pastor Jimmy Dunne, of Bluebell Community Church, fed vulnerable people in need via the boot of his car.

This ensured a supply line to older residents who were unable or reluctant to go out to the shops.

Over time, the People’s Foodbank in Bluebell became more in demand and critical for many families, that deliveries are sometimes made to people outside of Dublin.

Eventually, the foodbank established a solid base in Park West, from which deliveries are made daily.

“We do about two tonnes of food per week,” said Tommy Coombes, manager of Bluebell Community Development Project (CDP).

“In July, we fed 600 families, approximately 320 adults and 260 children. We cover Bluebell, Inchicore, Crumlin, Drimnagh, Walkinstown and Ballyfermot. But we were also doing days when we went to Wexford, Drogheda and Dundalk.”

Coombes, who is also a coordinator with Bluebell Community Council, a key stakeholder in ambitious regeneration plans for the area, says the foodbank has been a real success story.

“Pastor Jimmy Dunne has been working on the ground here for the last eight years. No religious agenda. But to go from using the back of Jimmy’s car to a foodbank in Park West is something else.”

During the last 18 months, the foodbank has collaborated with a range of groups as it continues to grow.

Coombes said the venture has support from Dublin 12 company Harris Trucks, and they have supported a wide variety of organsiations including Muslim Sisters of Eire and Killinarden Church.