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Calls for more Killarney businesses to support foodbank charity

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DELIVERING FOOD: Food Share Kerry's van driver and warehouse coordinator Brian McCannon prepares a delivery for Killarney on Tuesday.

By Sean Moriarty

A Tralee-based surplus food distribution charity - which has experienced unprecedented demand for its service in recent weeks - is calling on more Killarney based businesses to support its scheme during the current crisis.

Food Share Kerry, who act as a foodbank and supply depot where the food products are stored, sorted, graded and distributed to frontline agencies such as Ballyspillane Family Resource Centre and the Killarney branch of St Vincent de Paul, provides a link between producers of surplus food and charities that specialise in combating food poverty.

However, although it's experiencing a three fold rise in its service due to the increase in the number of people needing help - this has been hindered by the number of hotels and cafes that are now closed - which would usually donate excess food.

Fundraising efforts like street collections are also no longer possible because of COVID-19 imposed restrictions.

Depot manager, Courtney Sheehy, says demand has increased but the lack of donations is widening the gap every day.

The only retail outlets in Killarney currently supporting the scheme are the two Dealz branches on High Street and at Deerpark Shopping Centre, and she is appealing for more local outlets to get involved.

“Without the support we are not able to meet the demand,” she told the Killarney Advertiser. “People have lost their jobs or they are cocooning and they need us more than ever. We coordinate food distribution in Tralee and run regular deliveries to Killarney where we hand over to groups on the ground who will have a better understanding of what is needed and where in their community, but we need to bridge the gap between donations and what we distribute."

Food Share Kerry has set up a fundraiser with a €2,000 goal via GoFundMe: COVID-19 Response: We need your support!

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Irish feature film set for Killarney cinema debut

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A new feature film, created by Irish writer and director Liam O Mochain, is set for release in Killarney next Friday, November 7.

Mr O Mochain said he is delighted to bring ABODE to a Killarney audience following its sold out world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh and a screening at the recent IndieCork film festival.

ABODE is a feature film with five stories connected by the theme of home and what it means to the different characters in the film.

It shows that home has an importance and a different meaning for everyone.

In ABODE, everyone wants to belong somewhere. The film was shot over a three-year period and finished in early 2025.

O Mochain says that the stories are a mix of drama and comedy, inspired by true stories, events or incidents.

It is set on the theme of home which is very relevant today.

Ryan Lincoln, Sophie Vavessuer, and Liam O Mochain are among the cast.

ABODE is O Mochain’s fourth feature film. His 2017 feature film ‘Lost & Found’ screened at festivals around the world from the Galway Film Fleadh to the Austin Film Festival

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Local pharmacies restock Lions ‘Message in a Bottle’

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Killarney pharmacies are restocked with ‘Message in a Bottle’, an initiative by Killarney Lions Club.

It is a small plastic container, available free of charge, with an information form which people can fill out with their basic medical details for use by Paramedics, Gardaí, Fire-fighters and first responders in an emergency.

Once the information form is complete, the bottle should be placed in the fridge.

Self-adhesive green cross labels should be put on the front door of the home and on the fridge so that first responders know its there.

Bottles are available at the following pharmacies: Allcare (New St.), Boots (Deerpark), CarePlus+ (Park Rd.), Kennelly’s (Reeks and New St.), Reens Life (Plunkett St.), O’Sullivan’s (New St.), Sewell’s (New St.), Sheahan’s (Main St.), Trants (Park Rd.) and Aherns Farranfore.

Jason Higgins, President of Killarney Lions Club, said that the initiative has been very well received to date as hundreds of people are already using the bottles.

He said: “We just want to make sure everyone who wants a bottle can get one, so the support from the pharmacies is fantastic and if it helps even just one person to get the help they need more quickly and effectively, it is well worth it.”

More information about the Message in a Bottle initiative can be found on the Lions Ireland website: https://lionsclubs.ie/service/message-in-a-bottle/

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