Tonight presented a stark challenge. We were significantly short on provisions, only managing to distribute 300 hot meals, a disappointing reduction from our typical target of 400 to 450. Compounding this shortage was the deeply distressing sight of families, children, rough sleepers, and the elderly queuing for hours in the bitter cold.
In fact, the latest figures released by the Department of Housing are truly terrifying. As reported by The Irish Times earlier today, the number of homeless individuals in Ireland has soared to a new record high of over 16,700, tragically including more than 5,200 children.
Week after week, witnessing the despair of these children and their parents is absolutely heartbreaking. Our priority remains looking after them first, alongside the elderly. We serve people from all walks of life; itโs a constant, overwhelming like a fish bowl, each person carrying a different story and a unique heartbreak.
The vast majority of people we serve are incredibly grateful and appreciative of our work. For our part, we are deeply thankful for the chance to give back to the community, knowing that it is the very least we can do. This reality is underscored by the difficult knowledge that, at the end of the night, we have the chance to go home, while we must leave them behind.
We heard powerful acknowledgments tonight; some thanked us, emphasizing the profound difference it makes for them to have a sleeping bag instead of sleeping directly on the street.
None of this essential work would be possible without our dedicated volunteers. A massive shout-out goes to the Youth from Gonzaga College who spent three hours handling our bucket collection. They shared smiles, offered conversation, and helped us raise funds through the bucket collection, which will enable us to purchase more vital sleeping bags.
We exist and serve thanks to you, the community who continuously stands behind us with your unwavering support. We thank you deeply, knowing that your contribution goes toward making a big difference in the life of somebody in the homeless sector. https://t.co/txexZXW91y
Likely raped to death.
A doctor. A stellar surgeon. The embodiment of Palestinian ethics.
Likely raped to death.
The racism of Western media who are not covering this, and Western politicians who are not denouncing this, together with the thousand other testimonies and allegations of rape and other forms of mistreatment and torture that Palestinians have suffered in Israeli jails, is absolutely sickening.