Minister Of Finance Visits Feed Cork In Cork City For 7th Annual Volunteer Appreciation

The Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath along with Counsellor Seamus McGrath visited Feed Cork today to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of their team of volunteers. He was welcomed to their food hall and cafe and encouraged the staff as they continue to support the growing numbers of Cork citizens accessing their services. Both Minister and Cllr McGrath were greeted with handshakes and heartfelt gratitude for their visit by the staff, volunteers, and charity partners of Feed Cork.

Feed Cork celebrated its 7th year of working to end food poverty in Cork City and surrounding areas, and has seen their services expand to meet the growing needs brought on by the varied economic challenges that people are facing. Minister McGrath acknowledged the challenges that many are facing and brought to light the important role that organisations like Feed Cork play in the current economic climate. He highlighted the positive social impact that the volunteer sector plays in reaching those that have for various reasons been left vulnerable to food poverty.

The Minister thanked the volunteers for their outstanding sacrifice, service, and hard work during their Volunteer Appreciation ceremony and has committed to provide his support as the charity seeks to receive much needed core funding from various government grants and social enterprise initiatives. At present, Feed Cork is maintained and supported almost entirely by donations from the public sector, and has managed to have a massive impact in spite of it’s limited budgets; which, as the Minister pointed out, is a credit to the tremendous team of volunteers that serve week in and week out.

Minister McGrath and Cllr McGrath were made honorary volunteers for Feed Cork and were presented the signature Feed Cork apron worn by volunteers as they serve the clients every Wednesday and Thursday.

Every week the volunteers distribute over 7 tonnes of food to over 600 people in Cork City from their Cork City base at Cork Church, Lower Oliver Plunkett Street. Over 40 volunteers spend 450 volunteer hours a week to service their clients on their two days of operation. Each family receives a 4-5 day supply of food, and enjoy access to the complimentary cafe.

During the ceremony Feed Cork Director, Hamp Sirmans, highlighted the tremendous work carried out in 2023. The statistics were staggering: 500,000 meals, over 9,000 food parcels accounting for 400 tonnes of food was provided over the 52 weeks of 2023. The programme saw over €1.2 million go back into the households of over 3,800 annual clients. Through their partnership with Brook Foods, FoodCloud, and Ashdale Catering the volunteer team delivered over 22,000 meals to children at the weekends referred to them through the school system.

Mr. Sirmans also pointed the shift in focus that 2023 brought in the development of their new “Pathfinder” programme. This programme assigns case workers to work with clients with the aim of reducing and eventually ending their need for food relief. Already the programme has seen the green shoots of growth as many clients are now availing of needed benefits and helps that heretofore were not availed of.

The day ended with a warm reception and cake ceremony with Minister McGrath donning his new Feed Cork apron and helping serve the volunteers cake and a moment of reflection with Mr. Sirmans reminding the team that “behind every number, there are real people, with very real

struggles” and looking forward to what has the potential to be another extraordinary year of supporting the people of Cork City.