Residents benefit from hot meals and local support
By Mary Dennehy
More than 240 hot meals are being delivered weekly to vulnerable and older residents living in Killinarden and its surrounding area thanks to a massive community effort.
Working alongside local group A Helping Hand, Mace Killinarden is sponsoring 150 hot meals each week to residents who need some extra support at this time.
Cllr Dermot Richardson pictured with Mace Killinarden deli manager, Emma Kelly
The local shop donates 50 meals each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with support and sponsorship from other local businesses and residents helping to increase this number to 80 meals daily.
There are now 240 meals going out each week to residents who are vulnerable, isolated or staying home due to their age.
Councillor Dermot Richardson, who is part of A Helping Hand, told The Echo: “The meals are for older members of the community or anybody who is vulnerable.
“The dinners are ready by 11.30am each day and we have a team of volunteers who deliver them to people’s homes by 12pm.
“We felt there was a need for this in the community… and it’s thanks to a whole community effort that it’s up-and-running.
“Thanks to all of the buisnesses, individuals and families who have supported [the initiative so far].”
Cllr Richardson said that the meals, which include a variety of dishes like turkey and ham and stroganoff, are made by the team at Mace Killinarden.
Anybody who is in need of support or who would benefit from a dinner delivery is encouraged to contact Cllr Richardson on 087 2036468.
Local businesses or residents who would like to sponsor meals can also contact Cllr Richardson – who hopes to increase the number of daily meals being delivered to 100.
The Killinarden and surrounding Tallaght community also joined together recently to gather a van-load of non-perishable food items, chocolate, snacks and drinks for the patients and staff of Tallaght University Hospital.
Cllr Richardson told The Echo how company Go Mobility in Tallaght donated a van for items to be collected in and delivered to the local hospital.
The van was parked outside Mace Killinarden, with members of the local and business community dropping items off over the course of a day.
Follow A Helping Hand on Facebook for more.
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