Thousands of Christmas hampers distributed across Limerick thanks to 50th Redemptorists' appeal

THIS year marked the 50th anniversary of the Christmas Hamper Appeal led by the Redemptorists with 7,000 hampers delivered across Limerick - an increase of one thousand on last year.

Thanks to the donations of many people, the group has been giving out hampers for the past 10 days. Fr Séamus Enright told Limerick Live: “We work right across the city and county and almost every group that we deal with are asking for more hampers this year than they were looking for last year”, said the priest.

“Normally there would be some food left over and we would give them to the homeless hostels but we’re cleared out.”

He agreed that the whole operation is bittersweet as they are delighted to help but it shows just how difficult times are for those on the breadline in Limerick city and across the county.

“It’s been very tough with the cost of living crisis and even with the help the government has put in place people are
still under pressure.”

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Aside from food poverty, which was the reason for this initiative, Fr Enright added: “One of the things we have noticed this year is what you might call fuel poverty. This time last year a bag of coal cost €21 and this year it is costing €38.”

On top of that, the priest mentioned they are finding a big increase in hygiene poverty.

“On a basic level, people are not able to afford soap, shampoo or detergents and there is also a big issue with period poverty”, he added sadly.

The people of Limerick are making unnecessary choices on a daily basis, and Fr Enright agrees that these sacrifices should be unnecessary to make. Still taking donations, the centre Mount St Alphonsus in the city is open until 2pm on Christmas Eve and the group behind the charity will be at Jetland this Friday collecting for the cause.