The Archbishop of Dublin is issuing an urgent appeal for food for families and charities in the capital.
Diarmuid Martin says the church's Crosscare agency, which assists people in need, is struggling to cope with demand.
The Archbishop is urging people to donate non-perishable items to their local church at weekend masses in the coming weeks.
Last year, Crosscare, the Dublin Archdiocese's social care agency, provided 500 tonnes of food to families in need, with the level this year at 750 tonnes.
Crosscare also supports 10 charities, in the capital, including the St Vincent de Paul.
Last week, the agency's Food Bank received requests from 120 families in one community alone, however they only had enough food to distribute 40 parcels.
Today, the Archbishop of Dublin, is issuing an urgent appeal for food donations, for the first time in almost a decade.
Diarmuid Martin says there has been a significant increase in the number of families seeking food:He says Crosscare is running out of supplies:And Archbishop Martin says despite the economic challenges - Ireland is still a wealthy society that can't forget the marginalised:The types of food urgently needed include pasta, rice, fruit juice, tea, coffee, soup, sugar, powdered milk, tinned meat and fish, tinned fruit and vegetables, packaged desserts, biscuits and hygiene products.
