CROSSCARE FOOD BANK in Dublin has collected 70 tons of food since Archbishop Diarmuid Martin issued an appeal to his parishioners at the start of the month.

In a letter today, the Archbishop thanked those who responded to the call for donations.

“Crosscare staff – with at times up to 30 years’ experience – tell me that they have never experienced such spontaneous generosity,” he wrote.

So far, the food bank has received 70 tons of tinned and non-perishable products, as requested.

People have also donated their time and modes of transportation to distribute the food. A number of schools and institutions also made contributions, as did the detainees of a prison.

“The food bank is now replenished but demands are growing also.  This week, in one parish, food parcels had been prepared for 30 scheduled families and 85 turned up.  Thanks to your generosity everyone received what they needed,” added Martin.

Last month, requests from 120 individuals and families had to be turned down as the organisation was only in a position to give 40 parcels.

According to Crosscare, the clientele at its café has changed in recent years.

“There is a new reality. A new type of poverty. It is not the stereotype that comes through those doors. We get people from all walks of life,” manager Michael McDonagh told TheJournal.ie in a November interview.

More: Food Bank centre reacts to a new reality – a new poverty

Related: Food appeal for struggling Dublin families as Food Bank can’t cope with requests