WATCH: Mayor of Limerick helps distribute hampers for those in need this Christmas

MAYOR Francis Foley attended the Milk Market in the city centre this Wednesday morning to show his support for a new initiative which is being led by local Limerick business Neighbour Food.

Each Christmas, this small business, led by Deirdre MacMahon, provides some of those who are underprivileged in Limerick with Christmas hampers full of locally sourced festive produce.

Each of those who received one of the more than 300 hampers had earlier received a letter of eligibility from the Mayor's Office.

On his arrival, Mayor Foley told Limerick Live he was delighted to be present to see people picking up their hampers. "This is a very important initiative. It’s a major boost for the local economy at the end of the year which I think is very important,” he said.

New European destination added to Shannon Airport summer 2023 schedule

Deirdre McMahon added: “I am so proud to be involved, it’s wonderful for the families but it’s also wonderful for our amazing local producers to get a big order at Christmas”.

Traditionally, the event was the Mayor’s “coal donation” but for the second year running it was decided that hampers, full of local produce would help to support small local businesses with minimal impact on our environment.

With over 300 hampers being distributed, one Limerick lady shared her delight with the helpful addition to her pantry: “It helps a lot in fairness because with the price of inflation these days you would spend a fortune.”

Neighbour Food, which sells products from 41 local suppliers, is based in the Milk Market in the city centre. It operates on Thursdays between 5pm - 7pm, and on Fridays from 12pm to 2pm.