Fill a bus for those in need

It’s been a while since we’ve seen city busses filled to capacity on Leeside, but this week Bus Éireann is asking the public to Fill a Bus for Cork Penny Dinners.

Starting on Friday, Bus Éireann will reserve a bus for two days in Capwell Depot from 10am to 6pm, hoping to fill it from top to bottom with donations from the public. Suggested donations to fill the bus include Christmas toys or non-perishable food items such as tea, coffee, sugar, pasta, biscuits, cereal, hot chocolate and tinned food.

Catriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners thanked Bus Éireann for their partnership in the campaign, stressing the importance of these “vital donations”.

She said: “These donations will be going directly to the people who need them and we are grateful to the people of Cork who continue to support those in their community who need some extra help this Christmas.”

Cork Penny Dinners is one of Cork's oldest charitable organisations and relies entirely on donations made by individuals, companies and organisations to provide its services.

The charity serves up to 2,000 freshly made meals every week as well as delivering food hampers to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.

Sales Executive for Bus Éireann, Fiona Connolly said: “Last April, during lockdown we started our first ever Fill a Bus appeal and were bowled over by the generosity of the people of Cork when we managed to fill seven buses with donations.

“This Christmas, Bus Éireann is encouraging the same generosity from our passengers, who take 15 million journeys with us in Cork every year, to support and donate what they can for those in need.”

The Bus Éireann reserved bus will be parked in Capwell Depot this Friday and Saturday from 10am-6pm. All necessary Covid-19 precautions and social distancing measures will be strictly observed at all times.