HELPING OTHERS: Ger Moynihan and Breda O'Shea from South Kerry Development Partnership helping to pack food which will be distributed to those who need it. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

A new food project in Ballydribeen - which is helping people across Killarney town - has seen demand grow substantially in the last few months.

Set up in late June between South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP) and Marks & Spencer in Killarney, the food project sees parcels of perishible foods delivered to homes all over the town on a daily basis.

An initiative which was instigated by Marks & Spencer, it is run out of the Ballydribeen Community House at 59 Doirin Alainn.

Each evening, food such as frozen meals, fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, buns and other items which are close to reaching their best before date are collected by SKDP and delivered, refrigerated overnight.

It's then packed suitable for the clients needs by staff from the service the following morning and delivered.

Tús Supervisor Ger Moynihan, who is running the project, said that as word has spread more and more are asking for the packages.

"We started the project in late June," he told the Killarney Advertiser. "It has grown since we started it - we have seen an increase in demand over the last few months. It's alarming the amount of people who are in need of it."

Breda O'Shea added that now due to demand for the service they're looking for more businesses to donate food, as well as more volunteers to help pack the food. "We're now, due to demand, looking to expand the service and are looking for more businesses to come on board. We'll make arrangements to collect it. We're also trying to get more volunteers to form a community group or organisation to get involved."

Ger added that by setting up a group "it opens up more opportunities for funding" for the project.

If you would like to get involved particularly if you live in the Ballydribeen area get in touch for an application form. Contact Siobhán at Ballydribeen Community House on 064 6626672 or email officeballydribbeen@gmail.com.