Irish Volunteers for the Homeless We have a very active and dedicated group, Irish Volunteers for the Homeless, which was set up in 1990 to help feed the homeless in New York City . The idea of setting up a voluntary group came about when Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich visited New York and suggested the Irish people give back to the city in some way to show thanks for the success and opportunities they had experienced since immigrating to New York .
The group, comprising 40-45 volunteers, prepares sandwiches/food and beverages at the Aisling Center every Monday night. Transport is very kindly donated by “Break for the Border”. The food is then taken to various locations in the city every Monday night and handed out to approximately 300 homeless people living on the streets of New York . The cost of running this program is funded entirely by donations, fundraising events and any grant monies received.
This group is very valuable not only on a philanthropic level, but it also serves as a wonderful social outlet for many newly arrived Irish immigrants as well as the more settled immigrant community. As members of the Irish Volunteers for the Homeless, they have the opportunity not only to help the less fortunate, but also to get together with peers and identify with the broader society.
We are very grateful to the following businesses for their weekly donations of soup, hot chocolate, bread, pastries, etc: Food Ireland New Volunteers are always welcome! Contact us today to learn how you can become a volunteer! |
