“Obviously, in Penny Dinners, Caitríona helps feed those in need, on a daily basis, but she’s also an agony aunt, a shoulder to cry on, and an open ear when she’s needed, and all out of the goodness of her heart.”

Caitríona Twomey, who runs the soup kitchen charity Cork Penny Dinners, is keen to see Cork follow in the footsteps of Stockholm which became the first city in the world to introduce an ambulance designed specifically to respond to mental health crises back in 2017

Margaret Long from Passage West, who volunteers with Cork Penny Dinners and is a member of the choir, said that seeing a song of theirs performed on the Eurovision stage would be a dream come true

Penny Dinners co-ordinator Caitriona Twomey told The Echo the volunteers had carefully set aside the makings of a small field hospital, unloading 12 generators, oil, Jerry cans, and a large amount of medical supplies.

Caitríona Twomey said many train stations across Poland are filled with refugees, with constant queues of exhausted women, children, elderly and disabled people seeking food, clothes, makeshift beds, and first aid.

Penny Dinners co-ordinator Caitriona Twomey told The Echo that the group had arrived in a very sunny Krakow just after 11am.

This is the second such mission for the charity’s volunteers.

Penny Dinners volunteer Catriona Twomey described how the number of people dropping in for a meal on a daily basis increased from around 280-320 to 500 people. 

Tommy remains humble as he continues to hold down a full-time job while coordinating recovery meetings three times a week.

Volunteers hope to return to Poland in the coming weeks. 

"If you want to talk to families and to children you must be registered and have papers, but people are very scared because they have lost everything and they worry about [losing their children] too.”

There has been a warm welcome for the Cork volunteers and their aid in Tarnow, where Ukrainian refugees are arriving in large numbers. 

"Every light that shines is a beacon of hope to everyone who is struggling to get to safety in Ukraine, and it means a lot to us on the convoy that people back home are thinking of us. 

Humanitarian aid for Ukraine will depart from Cork next Wednesday

Caitríona Twomey, who runs the soup kitchen charity, Cork Penny Dinners told of how one mum searched on the internet before collecting the dress to give the impression they were buying it online

The Mayfield soccer legend was there to open the wellness centre on James Street, and, as a long-time and low-key supporter of Penny Dinners

She said the gratitude they received from people for Christmas dinner just highlights the level of need in Cork.

Santa will officiate over the festive cheer, while Hank Wedel and the High Hopes Choir will provide musical accompaniment.

Catriona Twomey paid tribute to the Cork pupils who she said were a credit to their school and families. 

Cork has many charities providing food to those most vulnerable in our communities. KATE RYAN tells us how we can support them this Christmas... and beyond

Bus Éireann is calling on the people of Cork to help it to fill a bus with food and toys again this Christmas, which can be distributed to families in need.

Since details of the food bank were revealed on Monday, people have been contacting the students union asking how to access the facility

ROY Keane is known for his dry wit in his punditry but off camera he seems to have a softer touch as he spent Tuesday morning preparing sandwiches at the Cork soup kitchen Penny Dinners.

COLLEGE students have been turning to a Cork soup kitchen as a last resort before quitting their studies due to extreme hunger. Caitríona Twomey from Cork Penny Dinners on Little Hanover Street said that they have always welcomed university students.

THE head of a Cork charity has spoken of the challenges being faced by families living in emergency accommodation who don’t have access to the resources to even make their children school lunches.

A SPECIAL remembrance service is taking place in Cork city on Friday night to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

A NUMBER of Cork families are being forced to turn to charity after spending their children's back to school allowance to fund other crippling expenses during the pandemic. St.

CORK Penny Dinners were thrilled to have a visit from ‘Speedo Mick’, who is on a 3,200km (2,000-mile), five-month trek across Ireland and the UK. He is donating to a number of local charities along the way.

THE River Lee was illuminated last night as part of a vigil of remembrance in honour of those lost to suicide.

CORK Simon Community has confirmed that it is lodging a planning application for a new residential development at a site at Alfred Street/Railway Street at the location of the former Saab car dealership.

A CORK charity has extended its gratitude after being whittled down from hundreds of nominations to receive vital funding.

Pupils at New Inn School in Glanmire are spreading kindness this Christmas, with their own creative fundraiser in aid of Cork Penny Dinners.

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin is set to meet with the heads of two local charities in relation to disturbing sexual abuse affecting Cork’s homeless community.

THE head of a Cork charity has voiced concern around the high number of service-users they are losing to suicides despite several pleas for government action.

THE head of a charity that helps vulnerable people in Cork has said ‘stomach-churning’ sex attacks are taking place on homeless women on the city’s streets.

Cork Penny Dinners coordinator Catriona Twomey has paid tribute to a volunteer who died suddenly on Friday night Lithuanian native, Arunas Butkus, who was in his 50s, was found dead on Oliver Plunkett Street, close to the Cork Simon centre.

A Cork GAA club has been hailed as a saviour to one of the city’s oldest charities at a time when they were "very very stretched".

Cork Penny Dinners was the location for a drunken disturbance caused by one of the patrons and now he has been jailed for three months for his behaviour.

A new video posted by Knocknaheeny-based community group 'Impact Our Community Matters' gives a glimpse into the phenomenal work volunteers at Cork Penny Dinners are doing.

Six weeks ago, Ballinlough Youth Club launched a food appeal in aid of Cork Penny Dinners who are experiencing an even greater demand on their services at present as a result of the current crisis.

Up to 1,000 food hampers a week are being prepared and delivered by Penny Dinners to people struggling to survive during the Covid-19 lockdown in Cork.

Communities are pulling together, checking in on their elderly, offering words of encouragement to one another and donating vital supplies to those that need them most.

A Cork woman has decided to scrap the idea of a traditional 30th birthday celebration in favour of something a bit different for charity.

A FORMER prisoner whose friends died from overdoses just inches away from him warned of the devastation being inflicted by Cork’s heroin epidemic.