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Created by Crosscare Food Services June 2013

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Contents

Guide to starting a Crosscare Community Food Bank

1 Introduction Page 3

2 3

Community Food Bank Leadership Roles Needs Assessment: Assessing the Need in Your Community

Page 4

4 Create a Basic Plan Page 5

5 Determine Food Bank Hours of Operation

6 Securing a Location and Basic Storage Guidelines Page 7

7 Best Practices for Client Intake Procedures Page 8

8 9

Staff/Volunteer Responsibilities Funds/ Fundraising & Finance

Page 9 Page 11

10 Stocking the Food Bank Page 13

11 Food Drives Page 15

12 Supply Chain for Food Page 16

13 Logistics Page 17

14 Appendix

Costs Associated with Crosscare Community Food Banks

Staff Job Descriptions

Environmental Health Officer Contact Info.

Promotional Materials

Letters Promoting Food Drives

Map of Food Banks

Page 18 18

19 22 26 30

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1. INTRODUCTION

Crosscare is the social care agency of the Dublin Archdiocese. Since 1941, Crosscare has

been delivering services to those who need them most within the Greater Dublin Area. We

offer a range of programmes based on innovative approaches to meet new and emerging

social needs. These services are currently run from more than 90 locations throughout the

Dublin Diocese.

Our services can be broken into three main categories:

1. Those affected by homelessness

2. The needs of young people

3. The development of community driven services

WHAT IS A CROSSCARE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

A Community Food Bank (CFB) collects and stores food for distribution to individuals and

or families affected by food poverty within a local community. The aim is simply to provide

quality, nutritional food to those identified as “in need”.

Although the primary aim is to provide food, information on rights and entitlements should

be included when appropriate in particular, when it is felt it could address the underlying

social causes of hunger.

This manual has been compiled to meet the incentives of starting a Community Food Bank

and resource the development of new initiatives.

FOOD BANK MISSION

To work in partnership with local agencies to assist those affected by food poverty and food

deprivation within a defined area. Our goal is to always maintain dignity and respect for

participants for whom we provide services.

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2. COMMUNITY FOOD BANK LEADERSHIP ROLES

BECOMING A CFB LEADER

Taking on a role as a CFB coordinator or operative means making a difference in your

community that will provide real relief to those around you. It also means being a member of

the Crosscare organization and its efforts to address social problems on a much larger scale.

Community Food Bank Coordinator — This volunteer position requires ambition but

with support from the Crosscare team and other community organisations and volunteers, is a

rewarding role to fulfil.

The coordinator will be primarily responsible for developing connections with local and

potential food donors, running community food drive in coordination with Crosscare and

partner organisations, building a motivated volunteer network, and overseeing financial and

monetary matters with the help of Crosscare Staff. Full training and the opportunity to

shadow someone currently in this role will be provided by Crosscare. The senior manager is

available to provide ongoing support and development of anyone fulfilling this position.

General Operative —This volunteer position will require someone who is engaged in

building relationships with clients using the food bank services while treating them with

dignity. Other important responsibilities include keeping track of food stock and making sure

adequate provisions are available, ensuring that health codes and safety standards are met,

and communicating with the coordinator to keep operations running smoothly. This role

should be filled by a caring person who values teamwork in favour of helping to keep the

food bank operating effectively.

This guide outlines the steps to take in each of these matters and how Crosscare can provide

resources to aid in the Community Food Bank development process.

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3. NEEDS ASSESSMENT

CROSSCARE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

An important part of planning to implement a CFB and who it will be able to help is

partnering with an NGO or local referral agency. The partnership model that is currently in

place with existing Crosscare Community Food Banks is with St. Vincent DePaul (SVDeP).

Agencies like this can use data and knowledge of the community to pinpoint who is most in

need of food assistance. Crosscare will work with you and the community partner to

determine need, find local food sources, and run the operations of the food bank.

LOOK INTO LOCAL RESOURCES

Before creating a Crosscare Community Food Bank (CFB), existing local resources should be

investigated. Seeking out appropriate agencies and facilities to encourage their support should

be among the first steps taken.

Central Statistic Office (CSO) figures can be used to identify different population groups and

areas of need in specific regions. Community Welfare Offices and Public Health Nurse

Dept.’s can be used to highlight local need. Other NGO’s, such as SVDeP, will have a local

database of those most in need of assistance.

4. CREATE A BASIC PLAN

Strong leadership, sustainability, and a growing volunteer network are the cornerstones

of addressing the needs of those affected by food poverty and deprivation.

It is important to start out distributing a low volume of vouchers to ensure that resources are

being maintained at a consistent level. As the support systems that contribute to the

Community Food Bank (food supply, volunteer base) as well as the program itself grows, so

will the ability to provide even more help to those in need.

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OBJECTIVES

Establish a partnership model with local SVDeP or other NGO Conferences

utilizing their resources for effectively identifying those who are most in need

within the community.

Work with Crosscare to set up a local community food bank and ensure it is

properly stocked to meet the need identified by the referral agency or other NGO

Slowly develop a voucher system that builds in capacity as resources do.

Establish donation network of local growers, retailers, wholesalers, and

processors, as well as religious groups, scouts, schools, networks etc.

Establish a network of volunteers.

Establish a local space (facility) from which to run the food bank (Hazards

Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) must be taken into account).

Create a calendar of food drives.

Work to review the food bank with Crosscare and community partners.

PROCESS

Food bank provides referral agent with set amount of food vouchers

Referral agent identifies those in need of assistance

Voucher provided to those considered appropriate

Voucher redeemed in food bank at set times

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Monthly invoice sent to NGO/ Body

Quarterly review meetings between both agencies

The voucher itself can be customised by the NGO/ Body to identify how many adults and

children to feed and for how long (a carbon copy of the voucher will be kept by the NGO/

Body).

5. DETERMINE FOOD BANK HOURS OF OPERATION

Once again, for sustainability, it is important that the Crosscare Community Food Bank

(CFB) only opens at specifically agreed days and times; individuals may not simply turn up

‘ad hoc’. During the pilot CFB in Blanchardstown, we discovered that the morning following

the night when SVDeP issued vouchers it was best to open from 9:30am until 2pm, before

and after the hours children were generally in school. This was the same in both Bray and

Tallaght CFB’s. Seasonal and local circumstances should be taken into account when

choosing the most efficient hours of operation

6. SECURING A LOCATION AND BASIC STORAGE GUIDELINES

Once the CFB model has been agreed upon, an appropriate location must be found. It is

imperative that we ensure any facility is located discretely so as not to create any stigma for

individuals accessing the service. To date, the best facilities have been located within local

parish offices. They normally have parking and have discrete access, since it is not unusual to

see people accessing a parish facility.

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STORAGE SITE

You need to be able to store food safely and securely on the premises. The bank will require

adequate shelving and access. Specific storage guidelines can be found on the Health &

Safety Authority website at:

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Simple_Safety/Simple_Safety_in_Food_and_Drink/Falling_Obj

ects_Briefing.pd

Once a storage site has been identified, it is important to contact your local Environmental

Health Officer and ask for their input in the local facility (see appendix for local contact

information).

7. BEST PRACTICE FOR CLIENT INTAKE PROCEDURES

The CFB is only open to the public on set days and times, and at these times there must

always be more than one Crosscare staff member on duty. It is also very important that under

no circumstances should someone be given a food parcel without a voucher being in their

possession.

All clients must be treated with dignity and respect at all times, on entering the facility they

should be encouraged to take a seat in the waiting area while the parcel is prepared. The CFB

model was established to primarily work with those in emergency need for a provision of

General Storage Considerations:

1. Are all products off the floor on pallets or shelves?

2. Are products stacked a way from heaters, fans,

vents, leaking pipes, stairways, or leaking skylights?

3. Are non-food items stored away from food items?

4. Are products stacked to facilitate first in, first out

system, so that rotation of food is being kept fresh?

5. Are “use by” dates checked (not best before)?

6. Are toxics stored separate from any food or

personal use items?

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between 8 to 10 weeks (this is believed to be the maximum time it should take an individual

to get their benefits from appropriate state agencies). If individuals are attending beyond this

allocated period, staff members are asked to contact the senior manager who will review on a

case by case basis with local SVDeP conference president.

CLIENT ELIGABILITY

Our food bank has set guidelines—regarding whom you will help, how often, and with how

much food. The assignments for food parcels are either an individual parcel or a family

parcel (see below).

8. STAFF/ VOLUNTEEER RESPONSABILITIES

Food bank staff may be comprised of volunteers and/or paid employees. You will need

enough people to perform the following tasks on a regular basis:

• maintain facility

• organise food drives

• stock food on the shelves and make up boxes or bags of food

• clean and maintain the facility

• keep records and write reports including invoices (templates provided)

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• food collection

It is most important that volunteers know and understand that they are an integral part of your

food bank and that their work is meaningful. Volunteers must have a job description so that

they know where their responsibilities begin and end. A volunteer handbook that can be

found on the staff intranet is an important resource for both volunteer and supervision

guidelines. An official Crosscare induction programme must be completed in conjunction

with the Crosscare Volunteers Dept.

All volunteers must be officially registered with Volunteer Dept. Contact Mary

O’Halloran at (01) 836011 (mohalloran@crosscare.ie) for volunteer registration, Garda

clearance, and training set up.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Safety should be at the forefront of considerations when dealing with the public. Never have

only one person on duty at a time when working in the food bank. Crosscare has a lone

working policy available within the staff handbook available at the Crosscare Staff Intranet:

http://crosscare01:8080/HR%20Form%20Templates/HR%20Handbook%202013.pdf

Never invite clients to accompany you into the food bank. You do not want to be in an

isolated place with an unknown person.

Call the Garda at the slightest infringement of your rights as a person. Give no indication of

your routine arrival and departure times, or information about your home address, phone

number, etc.

9. FUNDS/ FUNDRAISING & FINANCE

Money generated through the sale of vouchers to the various distribution bodies, like SVDeP,

will be strictly controlled and monitored by the senior manager and Crosscare Finance Dept.

under no circumstances should a localised account to hold funds be set up. Each facility will

have a petty cash safe box containing €100 which must only be used to purchase essentials to

run the day to day elements of the facility. All major purchases must come through senior

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manager for approval and must be requested in writing (available on staff intranet at

www.crosscare.ie).

INVOICING

The local partner organisation or referral agency will be invoiced approximately one third the

value of the parcel of food provided, this raised revenue will be used to pay for any and all

over heads incurred and the cost, if needed, for purchasing food. The general costs include:

Establishment of food bank

Rental on property

Costs associated with training of volunteers

Van costs

Administrative charges from Central Food Bank and Crosscare Finance Dept.

Logistics costs

Once vouchers have been redeemed within the food bank the appointed volunteer will

complete the Excel Invoice (training will be provided at the CFB staff induction) and at the

end of each month the completed Excel invoices will be sent to the senior manager for

approval so a charge can be drawn. The redeemed vouchers should also be sent to the senior

manager at the end of each month (see example voucher on next page).

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Food Bank Invoice

Voucher A for an individual costs: €16:38 Voucher B for a family costs: €25:56

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10. STOCKING THE FOOD BANK

It is important that we provide the right types of food provisions that will maintain a well-

balanced diet for a family. The CFB has been designed to cater primarily for ambient food

stocks with long shelf life so as to avoid wastage and comply with the strict health and safety

guidelines relating to food handing.

Types of food we provide, depending on stock and availability will include the below groups:

pasta/rice, cereals, fruit juice, tea/coffee, soup, sugar, milk, tinned meat/fish, tined veg/fruit,

packaged dessert, biscuits, and hygiene products.

PACKAGING FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL FOOD PARCLES

Food parcels will be packaged based on whether they are going to an

individual or family. The quantity and variety of food items varies based on

which type parcel is being packaged. Below is a guideline to follow for parcels

catering to either individual or family needs.

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** Stock of the food bank will vary based on supply from food drives and other sources.

Contents of the parcels may changes slightly on a week to week basis.

Family parcel approx. €65 in value 1 adult cereal 1 child cereal 1 pkg. pasta 1 family size pasta sauce 1 pkg. rice 1 box tea 1 pkg. biscuits 2 tins veg 2 tins beans 2 tins meat/fish potatoes 1 tin soup oil desert extras based on availability:

Cheese, cleaning supplies, butter

Individual parcel approx. €45 in value 1 adult cereal 1 pkg. pasta 1 individual size pasta sauce 1 pkg. rice 1 box tea 1 pkg. biscuits 1 tins veg 1 tins beans 1 tins meat/fish 1 tin soup Oil desert extras based on availability: Cheese, cleaning supplies, butter

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11. FOOD DRIVES

Localised food drives are the primary source of stock for a

Community Food Bank. A calendar of food drives should be

planned months in advance by contacting local supermarkets,

places of worship, NGO’s, local business, schools, Scout groups

etc. (See Appendix for approved letter templates). We know from

experience that the face to face approach always works best and if

possible to align a drive within a business’s Corporate Social

Responsibility Policy (C.S.R.). It is important that these drives

take place within the community they assist. This in turn raises

not only essential product for the CFB but also local awareness

regarding food poverty and food deprivation. It is good practice to

hand out flyers or display posters highlighting the shopping list of

the essential product needed (see appendix).

The number of food drives that should be held each month varies

by location. The frequency of planned food drives is dependent

on the amount of food parcels being handed out in your given

area. It is necessary to have enough stock to maintain supply for

the individuals and families using the food bank service.

Currently, the range of scheduled food drives is between one per

month and one per week at different locations. You will need to

assess the appropriate amount for your individual community food

bank.

Once the drive is complete it is important to send thanks to

those involved letting them know how many people were

helped, this should assist in running future food drives with the

same community entities.

Posters that contain the above information and can be displayed at

the food bank site are available through the senior manager.

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12. SUPPLY CHAIN FOR FOOD

The most important element to ensure the future sustainability of the Crosscare Community

Food Bank is guarantee of stock. A supply chain of three main elements is essential:

1) Community food drives 2) Dublin Food Bank 3) Purchase of stock *(See below).

*(The third option “purchase of stock” is a last resort and if this was to become a regular

occurrence the future sustainability of the food bank would be compromised. Under no

circumstances should stock be purchased without approval of the senior manager).

Food

Sources

• Sources in order of sustainability: 1) Community food drives (local business, schools, Scout troops, etc.) 2) Dublin Food Bank 3) Purchase of stock

Community Food Bank

• Food is stored and pacakged to be handed out as parcles to clients of the food bank

People in Need

• Individuals and families who have been identified as "in need" by a community partner organisation exchange vouchers for food items

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13. LOGISTICS

The Crosscare Food Bank Manager Valerie Cummins will arrange any logistics requirements

including transportation of goods from local drives to local facilities and can be contacted at

(01) 8365040 or 0860288727 (vcummins@crosscare.ie). It is very important that as much

notice as possible is provided so Valerie can schedule both van and driver for food drives.

One of three Crosscare Food Bank Vans

RECORD KEEPING

You must account for all the food distributed from your food bank. Keeping appropriate

records helps food donors know how you have used their contributions as well as notifies the

E.U. Emergency food stock of where their supply is helping citizens.

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14. APPENDIX

Appendix 1: Costs Associated with the Food Banks

Central Charges (estimates on 3 established CFB’s):

DESC YTD Budget YTD Actual

Staff (Logistics) €30,174

Employers Pension Plan Contributions €5,181

Employers Contributions to VHI €1,194

Employers PRSI €4,212

Death & Disability €1,418

Total Payroll Costs €42,179

Crosscare Maintenance Charges €3,000

Insurance €1,200

Light Heat & Power €3,000

Rental €4,800

Total Establishment Overheads €12,000

Stationery €100

Postage & Courier €250

Telephone €900

Advertising & Promotion €7,500

Motor & Travel Expenses €5,000

Meetings Costs & Expenses €300

Sundry Expenses €200

CROSSCARE Central Administration Charges

Total Administration Expenses €14,250

Depreciation, Motor Vehicles €4.620

Total Depreciation €4.620

Total Overheads €73,049

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Job Description

Position Title:

Voluntary Community Food Bank Coordinator

Programme:

Location

Work Schedule:

TBD

Role Purpose:

Take a leadership role in organising and developing the Community Food Bank, managing volunteers and developing service.

The Role:

Responsibilities:

o Working with Crosscare, Saint Vincent DePaul ensuring appropriate communications between each are in place.

o Creating quarterly targets. o Building a strong donor base. o Meeting with senior decision makers in the local food sector

to promote the food bank as a first choice for their food donations.

o Organising and motivating volunteers ensuring adequate

staffing levels are operational at all times, supporting staff to achieve their goals thus ensuring that everyone is working to fulfil the needs of the food bank customers.

o Managing financial controls in conjunction with Crosscare

Finance Team incl. invoicing.

o Ensuring effective and efficient delivery and distribution

models.

o To ensure adequate supervision and regular appraisals for volunteers.

o To ensure the efficient and safe functioning of the service taking into account up-to-date Health & Safety regulations and ensuring sufficient Health & Safety awareness amongst

Appendix 2: Job Descriptions

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volunteers. o Recording stock control and traceability of donations.

The Holder: (Skills/ Requirements)

Personal Skills:

The ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.

Excellent communication and relationship building skills are

essential for this post

A full driver’s license and access to own car would be an

advantage

Job Description

Position Title:

General Operative Programme:

Community Food Bank

Location

Work Schedule:

T.B.D.

Reports to:

Voluntary Coordinator

The Role:

Responsibilities:

To engage with and build professional trusting relationships

with individual service users, treating them with dignity and

respect, and working within the values of the Community

Food Bank.

To ensure food parcels are prepared as per coordinators

instructions.

To ensure that the coordinator is kept up to date as to stock

levels so as to avoid any stocks running low/empty.

To maintain a clean environment and to thoroughly clean all

surfaces daily, and clean the following at least once per

week:

Fridge

Shelving etc.

To observe all Health and Safety policies especially HACCP

Hygiene Practices and to be involved in continual quality

improvement in order to ensure that the hygiene levels of the

kitchen and dining area are maintained at all times.

To ensure floor is clean and kept free of clutter, spillages or

any other issues that may lead to accident.

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The Holder: (Qualification/Skills Requirements)

Personal Skills:

A proven commitment to treating people with dignity and respect.

Good organisational skills.

Excellent communication skills.

An understanding of the principles of teamwork and the ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team.

A can do attitude is essential in this role.

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Appendix 4: Environmental Health Officer Contact Information by Region

Dublin North City East

01 449 3255

HSE, Adelaide Chambers, Peter St, Dublin 8

Dublin North City West

01 8976140

HSE, Unit 13F, Blanchardstown Corporate Park, Ballycoolin,Dublin 15

Dublin North Specialist Section

01 8976140

HSE, Specialist Section, First Floor, Unit 4 & 5, Nexus Building, Blanchardstown Corporate Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15

Dublin North County-Fingal

01 8976140

HSE Environmental Health, Nexus Building, Block 5, 1st Floor, Blanchardstown Corporate Park, Dublin 15.

Dublin South City East

01 4499

3255

HSE, Food Control, South City East, Adelaide Chambers, Peter St,Dublin 8

Dublin South City West

01 460 9659

HSE, Food Control South West, Block E, Westland Park Ind Est, Willow Road, Nangor Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 12

Clondalkin 01 460 9659

HSE, Block E, Westland Park Ind Est, Willow Road, Nangor Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 12

Tallaght 01 414 9000

HSE, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Dun Laoghaire 01 271 5000

HSE, Food Control, 12 Northumberland Avenue, Dun Laoghaire

Wexford 053 9123522

HSE, Wexford Local Health Office, Environmental Health Service, Whitemill Industrial Estate, Wexford

053 9421374

HSE, Wexford Local Health Office, Environmental Health Service , Health Centre, Gorey

051 421445

HSE, Wexford Local Health Office, Environmental Health Service, Health Centre, New Ross

Wicklow 0404 68400

HSE, Health Centre, Glenside Road, Wicklow

0402 39624 or 0402 91925

HSE, Castle Pk, Arklow or Health Centre Executive, Unit 7, Inbhear Mor Square, Templerainey, Arklow

01 2744100

HSE, Health Centre, Killarney Rd, Bray

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Appendix 3: Promotional Materials

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**th of **** 2013

Dear[____] ,

I am writing on behalf of Crosscare, a social care charity that has been established for over 75 years

in Dublin, we aim to tackle issues like food poverty and homelessness.

In this new economic climate, we are being challenged to come up with new and innovative ways

to overcome existing and emerging social problems.

We recently met with the St. Vincent DePaul who has seen a massive increase in families contacting

them for simple food parcels. The VDeP is looking to work in partnership with us here at Crosscare to

develop a small but effective Food Banking System, which with your help could become possible.

The idea is simple; we target 10 products and hold regular food drives in local supermarkets. In very

real terms, this food bank will be responding to the local need as it emerges. Such an initiative will

be run fully by local volunteers and will have no cost. However, it will depend heavily on the support

of companies like [______] to give us the space and promotion needed to hold a drive.

I cannot emphasis how important it is that we hold these drives as soon as possible so we can

move to help more families who are in desperate need.

If you are free to meet at any time to discuss this idea I can be contacted on my mobile which is

below.

I hope to talk with you soon.

Sincerely,

Michael McDonagh

Senior Manager

0876710442

mmcdonagh@crosscare.ie

P.S. 1 in _____ residents in the Dublin ___ area is in poverty and cannot afford weekly groceries. We

appreciate your help in making sure these families have healthy meals to feed their families.

Appendix 4: Letters for Food Drives

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SAMPLE LETTER TO LOCAL BUSINESS

**th of **** 2013

Dear [Manager’s Name],

Last September, Crosscare and St. Vincent DePaul came together to establish a new Community

Food Bank which aims to address the needs faced by many families affected by food poverty. Since

then, we have worked with over 200 families providing them with essential food items to simply get

by on a daily basis. The demand for this service is high and we need help urgently. We are coming to

you asking for your permission for running a food drive in the next coming weeks at [name of

establishment here]. The process is very simple and all the preparation will be done by our staff. We

have a stand we can set up [name location i.e. in front of the store, on the corner, etc.] which

highlights the types of food we need and a small trolley beside it where donations can be left.

I cannot emphasis how important it is that we hold these drives as soon as possible so we can

move to help more families who are in desperate need.

If you are free to meet in the near future to discuss this idea, I can be contacted on my mobile

below.

Sincerely

Michael McDonagh

Senior Manager

0876710442

mmcdonagh@crosscare.ie

P.S. By simply giving permission to run this food drive you and the people at [establishment name

here] are helping feed families and children who have been most affected by Dublin’s economic

hardships in your own community.

Registered Charity Number CHY:6262, Crosscare - Clonliffe College – Drumcondra – Dublin 3 - Tel: (01) 8360011

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SAMPLE LETTER TO LOCAL SCHOOL

**th of **** 2013

PLEASE HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY FOOD POVERTY IN THE DUBLIN ** AREA

Dear [Principal Name],

As I am sure you are aware a massive problem facing many families at the moment is that of food

poverty. It is estimated that as many as one in three children in the Dublin [**] area goes to school

hungry every day! Last September, Crosscare and St. Vincent DePaul came together to establish a

new Community Food Bank which aims to address this very real need and have in this time worked

with over 200 families providing essential food items allowing them to simply survive on a daily basis.

The demand for this service is high and our efforts to continue this work and meet the growing need

in the community is urgent. I am writing to ask for help from you and your school to run a food drive

in the next coming weeks. Just a short time spent gathering an extra tin of beans from home and

also asking friends and neighbours to contribute can help support families and children facing food

deprivation.

I cannot emphasis how important it is that we set up these drives as soon as possible so we can

move to help more families in desperate need.

If you are free to meet any time in the near future to discuss this idea I can be contacted on my

mobile below.

I hope to talk with you soon.

Sincerely

Michael McDonagh

Senior Manager

0876710442

mmcdonagh@crosscare.ie

P.S. With help from you and your students to hold a food drive you can make it possible to feed families and children in the Dublin area most affected by food deprivation, some of which may even attend [insert school name here].

Registered Charity Number CHY:6262, Crosscare - Clonliffe College – Drumcondra – Dublin 3 - Tel: (01) 8360011

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SAMPLE LETTER TO SCOUT LEADER

**th of **** 2013

PLEASE HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY FOOD POVERTY IN THE DUBLIN [**] AREA

Dear [Scout Leader Name here],

As I am sure you are aware, a massive problem facing many families at the moment is that of food

poverty. It is estimated that as many as one in five children in the Dublin [**] area goes to school

hungry every day! Last September, Crosscare and St. Vincent DePaul came together to establish a

new Community Food Bank which aims to address these needs and since then have worked with

over 200 families providing essential food items allowing them to simply survive on a daily basis. The

demand for this service is high and our efforts to continue this work and meet the growing need in

the community is urgent. I am writing to ask for help from you and your scouts to run a food drive in

the next coming weeks. Just a short time spent gathering an extra tin of beans from home and also

asking friends and neighbours to contribute can help support families and children facing food

deprivation.

I cannot emphasis how important it is that we set up these drives as soon as possible so we can

move to help more families who are in desperate need.

If you are free to meet any time in the near future to discuss this idea, I can be contacted on my

mobile below.

I hope to talk with you soon.

Sincerely,

Michael McDonagh

Senior Manager

0876710442

mmcdonagh@crosscare.ie

P.S. With help from your troop to hold a food drive your scouts will be supporting families in their

own neighbourhood and could even be helping to feed other children they go to school and play with

daily who are affected by food poverty.

Registered Charity Number CHY:6262, Crosscare - Clonliffe College – Drumcondra – Dublin 3 - Tel: (01) 8360011

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Appendix 5: Map of Banks

Blanchardstown Bray Tallaght

Balbriggan (Proposed) Cabra (Proposed) Clondalkin (Proposed) Finglas (Proposed)