‘We can’t believe how good people are – they’re brilliant’

A COMMUNITY group that helps the homeless and people in need in Tallaght received 20 bags of toiletries and clothing at a collection drive outside St Martin de Porres’ Church in Aylesbury on Sunday.

The Sharing is Caring Dublin 24 group holds a twice-weekly food table in the walkway between The Square and McDonald’s and provides between 50 and 70 meals each night.

However, there is a consistent demand for items like gloves, scarves, hats, underwear, deodorant and shower gel from some of the people who go to the food table.

While the group’s food table is well stocked, thanks to support from local businesses such as McDonald’s, Offbeat Donuts, PeachTree East and SuperValu Aylesbury, and the Muslim community in Lucan, the need for and cost of toiletries presented a stumbling block for the group.

Sharing is Caring held a collection for these items at St Martin de Porres’ Church and received bags of toiletries and clothing that will help the people who attend their food table through the colder winter months.

Some of the items donated

Linda Maritza from Sharing is Caring told The Echo: “The collection was great, and it gives us such a sense of relief, because some days you know someone will keep asking you for things that you just don’t have and you feel terrible.”

Ms Maritza spoke to The Echo on Monday afternoon, when she was preparing food for that evening’s food table, and she was looking forward to handing out the donated items later that day.

“Going out tonight, and knowing that we have underwear and stuff for them…we’re just delighted,” she said.

“I was surprised with the amount of stuff we got, but anytime we’ve held any collections like this, we can’t believe how good people are – they’re just brilliant.

“I can’t thank them enough for their donations. It’s just absolutely amazing, we’re so grateful.”

The Sharing is Caring Dublin 24 food table is every Monday and Wednesday evening from 7pm to 8pm at the walkway between The Square and McDonald’s.

For more information, visit the Sharing is Caring Dublin 24 Facebook page.