VISIT appeal for new storage space for Christmas donations

A LOCAL homeless service is appealing for a new storage space for the donations they’ve been receiving, as they’re expecting to help over 500 families this Christmas season, reports Aideen O’Flaherty.

Based in Tallaght, VISIT (Voluntary Independent Service in Tallaght) supports families in need year-round with a weekly food bank, and clothing and furniture donations, however they experience a surge in demand for assistance every Christmas.

Last Christmas, the service helped 475 people in need during the festive season, and they’re bracing for an increase in demand for their service again this year – and are concerned about dwindling space for the donations they receive.

Karen McEvoy from VISIT told The Echo: “Finding space is a huge problem for us. Firhouse Carmel FC give us a room in the centre and the use of the kitchen, but we don’t have a key to access it ourselves and it’s not ideal because I sometimes get requests from families for food late at night.

“But Firhouse Carmel FC have been very good to us and very accommodating.”

Donations last Christmas were stored in Ms McEvoy’s house, where she said her kitchen and conservatory were filled “floor to ceiling” with toys and items that were donated.

“The kitchen and conservatory were completely full,” she said. “But we’re not able to help as many people as we’d like, because if we’re limited on space then we’re limited on what we can take in.”

A new space – ideally in Tallaght – would mean VISIT’s team of three volunteers, including Killian Finlay, could grow and more donations could be accepted and distributed to those in need.

Local People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy is also backing VISIT’s appeal for a new space, as he credits them with providing a vital service to the community.

“There’s probably hundreds, if not thousands, of people who have had to rely on the work of VISIT,” Deputy Murphy told The Echo.

“They carry out vital work in the community for nothing, as they’re all volunteers. They need to find a new space for them to continue to do their work in Tallaght.”

For more information about VISIT, you can find out about their services or contact them directly on their Facebook page.