In response to the unprecedented demand for food from charities and community groups across the country, Ireland’s first ever national food appeal will take place in over 400 supermarkets nationwide this week from September 17th – 20th 2020. Research carried out among 121 of FoodCloud’s charity partners identified a 70% increase in demand for food as a result of Covid-19. The research found that there are three groups within society most affected by the gap in supply of food; those over 65 years of age (49%), single parents (36%) and people with mental health concerns (30%).
Obair is based in Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare. They provide a meals on wheels service for the elderly and a support service for lone parents in rural areas. Before Covid-19 they were serving on average 60 hot meals or dinners a day. This increased to over 300 dinners a day during the height of the pandemic. Today they are serving over 200 dinners per day. They fear demand will increase again as the number of Covid cases continues to rise.
On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Gavin Grace spoke to Siobhán O’Driscoll from Obair.
