Hampers needed more than ever, says Lions Club
In the almost 30 years that PRO Frank Dillon has been involved with the Mullingar branch of the Lions Club he has never seen such a demand for their Christmas parcels.Frank and his colleagues from the Lions Club will be out in force at Mullingar's supermarkets this Thursday, Friday and Saturday collecting non-perishable food items for the annual hamper appeal.Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, he says that now more than ever before they are depending on the generosity of the people of Westmeath to help spread a little bit of Christmas cheer to the less fortunate members of our community."The need for parcels has never been greater. We have got more requests for parcels than ever before. Last year we put together 400 hampers and, hopefully, we will be able to provide more this year."We are also estimating that we will spend between â¬10,000 and â¬12,000 purchasing perishable items such as turkeys and hams for the hampers."The provision of hampers for the local needy is a joint effort between the Lions Club and Saint Vincent de Paul. The two organisations work hard, in conjunction with Sr Finbar, who is the co-ordinator, to ensure that there are no duplications and as many families as possible receive a hamper."People have been so generous in the past, and we'd like to thank them for this, but we would also appeal to them to make a special effort this Christmas."We will have collectors at Buckley's SuperValu, Marshall's, Tesco and Dunnes Stores in Mullingar this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday and urge people to donate non-perishable itemssuch as tea, sugar, tinned food and biscuits."The Lions Club's toy appeal is also currently under way and if members of the public would like to donate a toy or two they can be deposited at the AIB Mullingar. For more information contact Lions Club PRO Frank Dillon (0876443742), president Kieran Moore 087 2934963 or Frank Kiernan 087 2767584.