‘Thank you for the parcel – it meant I was able to eat along with my children'

KIND Cafe owners organise food parcels for less fortunate

As shoppers go about their business in the Virginia Shopping Centre and the autumnal leaves cascade down from the trees in the carpark, a café operator and his wife are doing their bit to alleviate hardship for some families in the area through a food parcel initiative

Big-hearted Mark and Danielle Hearns are say it is due to the kind generosity of their customers and others online donating money and food items that they are able to help struggling families during this time of pandemic.

“We were at home and Danielle posed the question – could we run something like this from the Willows Cafe and give something back to the community?” Marks explains the origins of the project.

The couple have five children. Mark has been running Willows Café for the past six years, while Danielle works as a nurse.

Mark explained that they endured hard times in the past and are keenly aware of how people may need help but are reluctant to reach out.

The pair are amazed at the reaction since they posted a video online featuring Mark outlining the project and encouraging people who need help to get in touch.

Danielle said, as soon as the post and video went live, a number of people contacted them privately and admitted they needed help, while donations also poured in from as far afield as America, Australia and England.

“It is mainly families who are availing of the help and Mark delivers the food parcels and we always include sweets for the children,” said Danielle.

A counsellor has also offered her services and her number is included in the parcels should anyone need to talk.

Gratitude

“Everyone who has received one of the parcels come back online and say thanks very much and some have even offered to help us put the parcels together or deliver them,” added Mark.

Danielle highlighted one thank you message they received.

A woman simply said: 'Thank you for the parcel – it meant I was able to eat along with my children.'

The Hearns have also contacted the local gardaí to make them aware of the service and to see if they can make any further referrals.

“They are going to get back to us in the next couple of weeks with the possible names of people in need and have also offered to deliver parcels,” said Mark.

“The generosity of people has really shone through and they are also dropping in food,” added Mark.

Those wishing to avail of the food parcel initiative can contact Mark or Danielle, in confidence, via the Willows Cafe Virginia Facebook page. Donations are also gratefully received.