The warehouse close to the charity's kitchen in the city was bought recently following an increase in the number of people seeking help in the last number of years and especially during the pandemic.
The hampers are prepared by volunteers before being delivered, with attention now turning towards kitting out the warehouse to meet demand for Christmas hampers.
Speaking to RedFM News, Caitriona Twomey from Penny Dinners says it made sense to buy the warehouse rather than renting one:
"Because of the rising numbers, you know, in the last number of years and because we had the warehouse rented, we saw the need for to have our own warehouse and this came on the market at a very very very good price. It's huge, and it's ideal and it's what we need. During COVID the hampers went up big time and we got Vincent's hurling and St Vincent's hurling and football club, they came on board and they gave us the use of their premises and then when they were opening back up we knew we had to find a place which we did and we rented out because we just couldn't stop the services."
Meanwhile Caitriona says Roy Keane's visit to their city centre kitchen yesterday brought great excitement.
The Manchester United and Ireland legend stopped by Penny Dinners to meet with volunteers including girls from St Angela's Secondary School who were packing sandwiches for food hampers.
Speaking to RedFM News, Caitriona says it's always great to see Roy:
"I think Roy himself doesn't realise the regard that he's held in in Cork. The great love that people have for him and he comes to Penny Dinners and he's just like anybody else coming in, he's just having a conversation, chatting away, asking how we're getting on and asking how we all are and stuff and he, he's got great consideration for us and for the work that we do. Anytime he comes, obviously, the volunteers that are there just are just over the moon and whatever, but he takes time to chat to everyone."
Caitriona Twomey from Cork Penny Dinners says their new warehouse will allow them to help more people in need of food hampers. Hear more on air and online. pic.twitter.com/9YV5LOyojb
— RedFM News (@RedFMNews) October 6, 2021
