Darklight 👻

Tonight was unlike anything we have seen in about four years. It was chaotic and busier than ever, serving a huge crowd that included children, students, families, the elderly and rough sleepers. We served 450 meals and all of the food, laid out on a 6 x 6-foot table — from hot meals and fresh fruits to bread, snacks, crisps, water and other drinks — was gone within an hour and a half. The immense need was heartbreaking and led to an incredibly tense and difficult evening. We witnessed people's agitation and had to work hard to keep the peace as the crowd grew restless, some saying that people were skipping the queue. We are also seeing a significant increase in gender-based violence and it's devastating to see women with physical bruises. We went home feeling mentally exhausted and emotionally drained. Despite the challenges, the gratitude from the people we serve was overwhelming. Most were incredibly appreciative, and their thanks remind us why we do this. We are so grateful for the opportunity to give back to a community in need. This work wouldn't be possible without our amazing volunteers, long-term partners and most importantly, your continuous support. Thank you for standing by us and helping us make a difference, wishing you all a lovely weekend. msoe.ie/index.php/component/…

The heartbreak behind these shoes is almost too much to bear. Tonight, we served 500 meals.Six overflowing tables of food — every single item given out. And still, somehow, it never feels enough. But it was these shoes that broke us tonight. They belonged to a young girl — a girl with beautiful eyes that should have sparkled with dreams, but instead carried sorrow and pain. A heart full of broken. A face cut and bruised. A life on the streets, where survival means begging for a tent to sleep in. This is the reality we see week in, week out. Tonight, we have very few words left. Just hearts heavy with sadness. If you can, please donate. Help us bring even a little comfort, a little hope, to those who feel forgotten: msoe.ie/index.php/component/…...