PEOPLE BEGAN QUEUING for Christmas vouchers from a Dublin charity last night at 10pm, over eight hours before the vouchers were given out this morning. 

The Capuchin Day Centre was distributing tickets today for its annual Christmas voucher scheme. People who received a ticket can redeem it for a €50 Dunnes voucher next Friday.

Speaking to RTÉ this morning, Father Kevin Kiernan, Director of the Capuchin Day Centre, said demand for the vouchers was “significantly” higher today than in previous.

“The numbers have gone significantly higher this year. As we speak, we’ve given out over 3000 vouchers,” he said.

The Day Centre, located in Dublin City centre, has been providing services to the homeless and those in need in Dublin for 56 years.

It serves breakfast and lunch six days a week, and provides weekly grocery parcels, family services, clothing, access to showers and hygiene products, and advocacy services.

Kiernan said that people from “all walks of life” have collected vouchers today.

“Everybody finds it difficult at Christmas. We need to make it a happy experience for our children,” he said.

The friar said what people are struggling with most this year are basic needs such as heating and making food last.

He said vouchers will be provided for anybody who needs one. The Centre gives out tickets before the vouchers to gauge demand.

“There will be vouchers for people who come. We don’t turn anyone away. We try to make sure that nobody goes hungry, especially at Christmas,” he said.

He advised people who didn’t get a ticket this morning to come back, as more tickets will be available.

This is the first Christmas since the death of the Capuchin Day Centre’s founder, Brother Kevin Crowley, who passed away in July.