St Vincent de Paul Gate Cinemas Christmas Food Appeal Launched at Market Square Mallow

St Vincent de Paul Gate Cinemas Christmas Food Appeal Launched at Market Square Mallow

23 November 2009

The Gate Cinema, Market Square Mallow has launched its annual St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) Christmas Food Appeal which runs from November 20th to December 20th.  Members of the public are encouraged to drop food into the Gate Cinema where complimentary cinema passes will be issued for large bags of non-perishable food and toys.

The Food Appeal is now in its third year and has been a tremendous success in previous years and the public are asked to show their support and make this year the most successful one to date.

This year, for the first time other tenants in Market Square are getting involved and will be delighted to accept food donations which they will pass on to St. Vincent de Paul.  Other stores participating include Subway, littlePIGGY's Shoes for Kids,  O'Donovan's Off Licence and Mods & Minis.  Look out for posters indicating what shops are accepting donations.

At the launch of the Food Appeal, Margaret Greene, General Manager Gate Cinemas said "It's a very simple but extremely effective way of giving at Christmas, and all our staff and management really enjoy getting involved in supporting this worthy charity."

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Christian voluntary organisation, working with poor and disadvantaged people.  Each Christmas, SVP distributes thousands of hampers to families, elderly people or individuals who would otherwise go without basic food items as well as luxury treats at Christmas time.  Hamper distribution is carried out by dedicated and willing volunteers, who are able to identify households in advance that are in need.  An enormous quantity of food and manpower is required to prepare these hampers.

The following is a list of items that may be donated at the Gate Cinema and in participating Market Square stores: Non-perishable foodstuffs like rice, pasta, tinned foods and fruit, cereal bars, tea, coffee, cereals, sugar, minerals, juices, cordials, festive foodstuffs like selection boxes, biscuits, cakes, sweets, crisps, and popcorn. Others items such as nappies, baby wipes, baby powder, dry packet baby foods, toiletries like deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, new socks and underwear (ladies and gents). They will also accept toys, these need to be new or very good second hand toys.

The Christmas Food Appeal is also running in The Gate Cork, The Gate Midleton, and Cinema World Douglas.

For further information call the Gate Cinema Mallow on 022 53282.