Prisoners help families in need
By Mary Dennehy
CLOVERHILL Prison inmates made a significant contribution to families in need this Christmas after organising a food drive for Crosscare – which, due to demand, is opening a second food bank in Tallaght in the new year.
Now an annual tradition, the inmates at the Clondalkin-based remand prison have for the past six years held a Christmas food drive in aid of the Jobstown Crosscare team.
Teaching staff with members of the Crosscare Jobstown team
The Crosscare food bank in Jobstown provides a weekly food shop and vouchers to around 50 families every Wednesday, with an increase in demand at Christmas seeing 150 families being supported in the coming days.
Due to a demand over the past year, Crosscare this week told The Echo that it is hoping to open a second food bank in the Tallaght area in the new year.
Liam Byrne, of Crosscare in Jobstown, said: “We have seen an increase in demand unfortunately, and are looking at opening a second food bank in Tallaght in the coming year.
“We are just so busy . . . and are looking at locations in Tallaght, which will be easily accessible for families.”
Crosscare Jobstown works closely with St Vincent De Paul, which identifies families in need and refers them to the food bank.
Due to demand and a lack of food banks in neighbouring communities, Crosscare Jobstown regularly supports families from across South Dublin County.
However, Liam stressed how food collections like the one in Cloverhill Prison will help support the challenging work of Crosscare this Christmas.
“The annual food drive in Cloverhill makes a huge difference to families who are struggling”, Liam said.
Cloverhill prison
“Everything the lads have donated will go into the Christmas hampers, and they have become an important part of the hampers we give out every year.
“There are people who will now wake up on Christmas Day a lot happier, thanks to the lads.”
A number of prisoners in Cloverhill are part of a volunteers group, which looks at ways to help both the outside community and the community within the prison.
One of the initiatives organised by the volunteer group is the annual food drive for Crosscare in Jobstown.
Inmates are encouraged to buy items in the tuck shop, like teabags, biscuits, chocolate, package soups and porridge, to donate to the food drive – with the bumper bin of donated items collected by Crosscare this week.
Caitriona McGrath, PE teacher in Cloverhill, told The Echo how despite your situation, people can always do something good – and be kind.
Crosscare Jobstown volunteers Sean, Linda and Patricia making up hampers for families
According to Caitriona, the volunteer group takes charge of the whole project – which alongside helping struggling families on the outside, is a boost for those within the prison too.
“A lot of the prisoners know about Crosscare from their own lives on the outside, so it’s important to them,” Caitriona said.
“The food drive also helps the community within the prison, it’s a feel-good project and gives prisoners a boost of moral.
“This can be a very negative environment so it’s good to do something positive for the whole place.”
Any other groups or businesses which would like to support Crosscare and the families it helps, are encouraged to get in touch.
Local businesses are also invited to do food drives throughout the year.
To learn more about Crosscare in Jobstown call Crosscare head office on 8360011 or for help contact SVP on 8848200.
