Today Kim, Emer and I went to the Cork Penney Dinners Association in Hanover Street, Cork City. We met up with the Head of the Program, Cathriona and she showed us around. We got to work straight away, making dozens of cheese, potato salad, coleslaw and rocket leave sandwiches for the homeless peoples lunch. We wrapped them in tinfoil to keep them fresh for the arrival of the needy.
Then we were sent to work to make the desert for the next day. We started our preparation by chopping, peeling and slicing the apples for the stewed apple. When they were cut and ready we put them into a huge pot filled with water as it would be serving up to 100 people who couldn’t fend for themselves. The other people in the kitchen were dishing out dinners of pork chops, mash potatoes and carrots. We also helped to pack cheese!
As our trip was coming to an end, we got a little tour from one of the volunteers! We got to meet some really nice people like Paddy Blue who was 82 years old! He had been volunteering there since 1970. He sang to us and the people being fed and he played a few tunes on his harmonica.
The building is very run-down and needs renovation. They had been saving up all their donations of money for refurbishment and storage.
The staff involved in the Penny Dinners were kind, generous people. We were really honoured to be given such an opportunity and would love to go back again! This organisation is in great need of better facilities, more storage and lots of volunteer help!! We look forward to fundraising for them again in the future. By Aoife, Kim and Emer.
