Good Grub initiative reach €500k fundraising target

Good Grub initiative reach €500k fundraising target

By Aideen O'Flaherty

THE Good Grub Initiative, which is supplying fresh fruit and vegetables to DEIS schoolchildren and their families during the lockdown, reached their €500k fundraising target recently – and are appealing for further donations to keep the scheme going.

Good Grub is a not-for-profit initiative delivering over 25,000 nutritious fruit and vegetable parcels directly to the families of DEIS school children around the country during the lockdown, as some families are struggling to put food on the table.

Denis OReilly front centre founder of Good Grub pictured with his family packing fresh fuit and veg into the food packs compressor

Denis O'Reilly (front centre) founder of 'Good Grub' pictured with his family packing fresh fuit and veg into the food packs

Pupils from a number of local schools, such as St Ultan’s National School in Cherry Orchard, St Mary’s Junior and Senior National School in Rowlagh, Clondalkin, St John of Gods in Clondalkin, and the South Dublin Partnership in Tallaght, are being supported by the initiative.

“As soon as schools were closed down, we realised that many kids were going to start missing breakfast and lunch, often the only healthy meals they can rely on,” said Denis O’Reilly, chairperson and co-founder of Good Grub.

“We started with a target of €100k to deliver fresh fruit and veg parcels, which we thought was ambitious but which we quickly reached.

“Good Grub has really caught the imagination and we’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of corporate donors and individuals who have helped us.”

Launched in April, the initiative has gone from strength to strength, and though they have exceeded their expectations by reaching their €500k fundraising target, Mr O’Reilly stressed that donations are still needed to ensure food can be delivered for as long as possible.

“A donation of €10 will provide two families with a week’s worth of fruit and veg, while €40 will provide two families with a month’s worth of fresh food,” he said.

“Meanwhile, a donation of €120 will provide six families with a month’s worth of fruit and vegetables, so we’re asking anyone who can help to please dig deep.

“Every cent donated will go directly towards providing fruit and vegetable packages for the DEIS families.

“We are all, including myself, volunteers who simply want to support the great work the DEIS food programme is providing and enable our students to reach their full potential.”

Donations to Good Grub can be made online, either through GoFundMe or www.goodgrub.ie.

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