Five schools and three creches based in Cork city centre are availing of mini in-house food banks provided by Cork Penny Dinners.
The charity started the initiative a number of years ago and have seen a higher demand for help this year - as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
The foods, mainly non-perishable items, are displayed on shelving in discrete areas of schools and creches to make the service as low-key as possible.
Catriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners describes the mini food banks as ‘food libraries’ and feels the system has been working really well.
“The reason we do it is because if you run short of one or two items and you don’t have the money for it, you’re going to have to wait a couple of days until your next payment comes through,” she said.
“It’s true whether it’s your wages, your salary, your social welfare.
“So, if we can provide those and get the families through [that time], I just think it makes absolute sense.”
Ms Twomey said the initiative is discrete and allows parents to get the help they need without having to divulge their financial difficulties to their child's teacher.
