b'C ork Penny Dinners is one of the oldest charity organizations inCork. Established in the 1840sto assist those affected by theFamine,ithasremaineda beacon of hope in Cork. In anatmosphereofwarmthandsupport, the kitchens volun-teers produce meals for hungry people in Cork 7 days a week, 365 days a year.We believe everyone has a place in this world, saysCatriona Twomey, longtime volunteer and all-aroundmother hen at Cork Penny Dinners. Our job here isto make that place welcoming and warm. We ask noquestions. We pass no judgment. Were here to lookafter them. Regardless of their ability to pay, guests begin arriving in the morning and continue to come through-out the day and into the evening. The door is open andthere are fresh flowers on the table. There is no set timefor people to come or go and the delicious hot meals areprovided as needed. One of the first things you noticeis the comfortable camaraderie that exists between thevolunteers and the guests. Jokes are exchanged, coffeeis passed hand-to-hand, and conversation flows easilybetween those at the tables and those in the kitchen. Inthe face of the hard times, everyone there appreciatesthis positive place and what it brings to the community. Lately,thehardtimeshavebecomeharder.Justtwoyearsagowewereserving 150 meals over the course of fivedays a week, says Catriona. With therecession and the hard times, were nowopen every day and serving over 1,000meals a week.And the people coming in have changed. Now its fam-ilies, younger people, and mothers with children. Sowere not only offering hot meals here, but now prepar-ing meals to take-out for those who dont wish to bringchildren inside. The need has really increased andwere bursting at the seams. Cork Penny Dinnershopes to relocate its space in order to accommodate theincreaseddemandforitsservices.Itscurrent location has very little storage and no central heating,remainingalmostunchangedfordecades.The organization is currently fundraising for a new facilityand is more than half-way to their funding goals.Cork Penny Dinners relies entirely on voluntarycontributions to operate. Funding from The IrelandFunds Promising Ireland Campaign is helping CorkPenny Dinners continue its mission for the people of Cork. connect2013 | 30'