Courtney McGrailCourtney McGrail visits a Crosscare community café in Dublin
“Everyone is treated in the image and likeness of God”. This is written on the far wall of Portland Row’s Food Centre run by Crosscare in Dublin. This organisation, which operates as the archdiocese’s social care agency, prides itself on having four core values: Respect, human rights, integrity and excellence, and this is exactly what can be found at this quaint little centre.
Normally when you think of a food centre you think of dreary, depressing lifeless buildings where people queue for bland, boring food and then are left to go about their day, as just another shadow in a city that has forgotten them.
Years ago this may have been the case. However, thanks to organisations like Crosscare, these people who have become victims of the system and society are no longer left to suffer in silence.
The Portland Row community cafe can be found in amongst rows of old red-brick terrace houses beneath the shadow of Croke Park. This small tidy building, with beautiful hanging baskets bursting with colourful flowers, stands out amongst the backdrop of the dull inner city streets. Some outdoor tables and chairs allow customers to sit in the sun, as lavender plants delicately fragrance the surrounding air.
Equally
“It doesn’t matter who or what your name is, everyone is treated equally” says Ciara Carty from Crosscare. And, she is entirely true to her word. In an area where one could conjure images of less than socially acceptable activities, this centre welcomes everyone with open arms, friendly faces and a hot meal.
These are not ‘penny- dinners’ or the stereotypical ‘soup kitchen’. Customers here are presented with a menu where they can choose what they want.
“If you can pay, you pay” Ciara explains. “Everything is done very discreetly.” With over 10% of those living in Ireland affected by food poverty according to Crosscare, their mission is to give people the right to dignity and this is demonstrated at Portland Row by providing choice and staff showing genuine concern for all situations.
Once run by the Daughters of Charity to provide meals for mothers and babies, it has since been re-imagined with the space now a haven for everyone. But, it provides more than sustenance. This centre gives people a reason to get up in the morning and get dressed. It gives them company: friends.
Tragedy
“Loneliness is terrible,” says Ciara. “A lot of the time here, the food is secondary to the companionship.” People who visit this centre have had incredibly hard lives – some have struggled for years with addiction or personal tragedy.
“I just get on with it,” says one cafe regular, John, who was introduced to Crosscare 12 years after his wife got ill and he has been coming to Portland Row since. “They have been most helpful. They have been a great support,” he says. “I’m on my own. I come here every morning for the company.”
John is one of many who if not for Crosscare would be left to live isolated, lonely lives. With his wife in a home and his children grown up, this community cafe gives him the opportunity to socialise while getting good nutritional food. He and his friend Paddy met through Crosscare and it has given them a new lease of life. “We have a group of five,” John says. “We keep in contact.”
His respect and admiration for Crosscare is undeniable. “I had to learn how to cope. If I’m worried I just phone Crosscare. They’re only one phone call away if you need them,” he says. Pulling out his phone, he reveals a picture of himself on a hospital bed, explaining how he has been through cancer, diabetes; a stroke and heart trouble.
“However, the support he has had from the organisation has left him with an inspiring sense of optimism. “I shouldn’t be alive but I am. I’m in very good health despite what I’ve been through.”
Crosscare also operate a food bank here in co-operation with local companies such as Kelloggs and Lidl who donate pallets of food.
“We get between 8-10 pallets a month from Kelloggs,” says Valerie Cummins, the food bank manager, and Lidl even donated a van for the cause.
“Here, families and people in most need, can source food through organisations such as Crosscare and St Vincent de Paul. Again, Ciara stresses, all is done with utmost discretion.
Nothing is wasted by Crosscare. Their food bank is linked with Thornton Hall and the Irish Prison Service, and everything that is grown there, like strawberries and turnips, is donated and either cooked in the kitchen at Portland Row or given in parcels to the needy.
Cyclical approach
The community cafe manager, Paula Harris says, “It’s all about giving back to the community”, and this is clear to see at Portland Row. Its cyclical approach of operation means that everyone contributes in some way and the relationships between staff and customers demonstrate that the respect which Crosscare strives to achieve has been achieved. And, with continued funding and support they can expand their reach because the world is full of vulnerable people who need friendship, support and respect.
You can volunteer to help Crosscare by contacting the Crosscare Volunteer Unit via (01) 836 0011 or volunteerunit@crosscare.ie