Life

Marie Louise McConville: Left feeling humbled and thankful after emotional night at Belfast soup kitchen

Paul McCusker said the need for St Patrick's Soup Kitchen in Donegall Street is ever increasing. Picture Matt Bohill
Paul McCusker said the need for St Patrick's Soup Kitchen in Donegall Street is ever increasing. Picture Matt Bohill Paul McCusker said the need for St Patrick's Soup Kitchen in Donegall Street is ever increasing. Picture Matt Bohill

It’s really difficult to surprise me in my job these days.

Having been a news journalist at the Irish News for almost 16 years, I've seen a lot and heard a lot.

Much of the time, the things I come across are similar to things I’ve seen before, just a tweaked version.

However, just when I thought I’d seen a fair bit of everything, I found myself at a job which moved me to tears and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

Last Friday night, I spent the evening at St Patrick’s Soup Kitchen in Belfast

Based on Donegall Street, just a few doors from us at the Irish News, the service opened in 2017 to meet the ever-growing needs of those living on the poverty line in the city, as well as the homeless.

Obviously, I knew this would be a tough job to cover so on my way I had tried to prepare myself so that I could remain completely professional.

However, just five minutes after the doors to the soup kitchen opened, I was simply gutted by the scenes I witnessed.

Seeing people eager for a hot meal, an emergency food parcel or a piece of clothing to stay warm, made me very emotional.

However, it was the children and babies, for whom a trip to the soup kitchen on a Friday night was `normal' with their stressed mothers obviously under pressure to make ends meet, that moved me to tears.

These were sights I just never thought I would see in 2019 and to know it is happening each weekend on one of Belfast’s busiest streets is just shocking.

The team behind this service do it because they care and they look for no recognition.

Paul McCusker who runs the service said demand is ever increasing, and as it is wholly dependent on donations from the public, it is relying on the kindness of strangers to keep it going.

What angers me is that it is not actually the job of this team of wonderful volunteers to help these people survive.

No, that is the job of our so-called politicians who continue to fight with each other like children, refusing to do their job but still getting paid.

Maybe they should think about donating some of their easily earned wages to St Patrick’s Soup Kitchen to help these people, who are vulnerable, desperate and struggling.

It's disgraceful this is happening in 21st century Northern Ireland.

I left the soup kitchen feeling humbled.

It's made me appreciate everything I have in my life so much more.

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US actress Mandy Kaling has begun a new decade in her life by spreading the wealth.

The Mindy Project star celebrated turning 40 this week by donating $40,000, made of $1,000 bundles, to 40 separate charity organisations.

The Massachusetts native said: "I’m so grateful to have my wonderful, peaceful life w/ my daughter Katherine. How lucky am I to turn 40? I would love to express my gratitude by donating $1000 to 40 different charitable orgs that help others. Pls suggest some!''

Great job Mandy, a wonderful gesture.

May 40,000 Happy Birthday blessings rain down upon you in return.

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Competition

There’s nothing better than having a good read when you fly away on holiday so how do you fancy winning "a heart-breaking, heart-stopping read".

Night by Night by Jack Jordan has been described as a "cracking thriller".

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Rejected by her family and plagued by insomnia, Rose Shaw is on the brink.

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I have five copies of Night by Night to give away..

If you fancy winning a copy, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.

(Q) Who wrote Night by Night?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

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The winners of the Elave competition are Joanne Trainor, from Downpatrick, Vanessa Forsythe, from Moneymore, and Geraldine McCaffrey, from Tempo, Co Fermanagh.