The Charity

The Capuchin Day Centre is run as an apostolate (work) of the Irish Capuchin Franciscan Order and since the late 1960's has operated a food and day care facility for people who are homeless or in need. From humble beginnings of providing soup and sandwiches for about 50 people, they have grown to be the biggest food centre in Dublin City. In keeping with the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, they do not charge for any of their services. They operate an 'Open Door' policy and ask no questions. 

 

The challenge for the Capuchin Day Centre is that following the collapse of the Banks in September 2008, their numbers have doubled and they now have about 200 men, women and children for breakfast and over 450 for dinner each day. Apart from the people who eat on the premises, every Wednesday they distribute up to 1,600 food parcels for people on the poverty threshold who find it difficult to manage on social welfare benefits and need help to feed their families.

The Capuchin Day Centre is a registered charity, number CHY3765, and is based at 29 Bow Street, Dublin 7.