14.12.2020
Greystones Volunteers Bring Christmas Dinner to City Centre Homeless
St Patrick’s Parish and National School in Greystones joined forces to bring the spirit of Christmas to Dublin’s city centre yesterday, Sunday December 13. They served a hot Christmas dinner to about 300 homeless people in partnership with Dublin City Mission at The Light House centre on Pearse Street.
The parish has had a connection with the Light House since the beginning of lockdown when school principal Rachel Harper volunteered there to ensure that those experiencing homelessness could receive hot meals at a time when footfall in the city had decreased dramatically.
In the run up to Christmas 2020 they launched an appeal and the parish and school communities responded magnificently. Donations to a recent parish gift day funded the meal and school parents donated winter essentials (socks, underwear, chocolate, tooth brushes and toothpaste) and treats to go into back packs were which given out to all who came for dinner.
There are two gourmet chefs in the parish who cooked up an amazing Christmas dinner to those who called into Dublin City Mission’s No Bucks Café at the Light House. Stephen Evans, executive chef at Dunnes Stores and Paul Quinn of 3Qs Restaurant formed a formidable team and used their skills and dedication to make Christmas special for so many.
There was great excitement as a group of volunteers from the school and parish along with DCM regulars and St Patrick’s Music Group arrived at Pearse Street for the afternoon. The rain cleared and the musicians were able to sing carols and songs outside.
“The volunteers delivered a memorable day that will make this Christmas very special, not just for those who were given a hot meal and provisions, but for everyone involved. It reminds us what Christmas is really about – the love of God coming down to all of his children so that not one soul is left unloved,” the Rector of St Patrick’s, Canon David Mungavin said.