Stelios Philanthropic Foundation donates €300,000 worth of food
Stelios Philanthropic Foundation donates €300,000 worth of food to support Capuchin Day Centre
Year-long partnership will see donation added to 1,500 parcels supporting families and individuals across Dublin
The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has announced a major donation of €300,000 worth of food to the Capuchin Day Centre, marking the Foundation’s first food-distribution partnership in Ireland. The donation will ensure that a donation from the foundation is added to every weekly food parcel distributed by the Centre over the next 12 months, providing vital support to families and individuals facing rising living costs. The surplus will be used for daily hot breakfasts served at the centre.
Founded and presided by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands – including easyJet.com, easyHotel.com and many others (see www.easy.com and www.easyHistory.info) – the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (see stelios.foundation and stelios.ie) partners with charities across Europe to provide high-demand items that support vulnerable households with its ‘Food from the Heart’ programme.
The Foundation’s ‘Food from the Heart’ programme first launched in Greece and Cyprus in 2012 and provides 200,000 snacks to those in need each month through 12 distribution centres. The programme has since expanded to the UK, where in partnership with Trussell, it will distribute a year’s supply of chilli con carne tins in 2025. Earlier this year in France, the Foundation announced a partnership with Les Restos du Cœur, a major French charity providing free food and support.
The partnership with the Capuchin Day Centre extends this model to Ireland for the first time, supporting one of the country’s largest charities working with people experiencing homelessness, poverty and family hardship with the provision of 200,000 tins of baked beans purchased from supplier, Valeo Foods.
The Capuchin Day Centre provides over 300 breakfasts and 700 hot meals daily, alongside clinical services, family supports and a crucial weekly distribution of 1,500 grocery parcels. Demand for these services continues to grow, with the Centre supporting adults and families experiencing homelessness, food insecurity or social exclusion.
Representing the Stelios Foundation at the launch of the donation was Dan Mulhall, former Irish Ambassador to the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Malaysia. Dan serves as an advisor to the Stelios Foundation, a role he began earlier this year following the Foundation’s launch of the inaugural North–South Business Cooperation Awards. Held at Castle Leslie, Monaghan on October 30th, these awards celebrate innovation and positive economic impact across Ireland, distributing a total of €500,000 to nine outstanding entrepreneurs.
Commenting on the donation, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said: “The Foundation aims to help as many people as possible, as directly as possible, and the Capuchin Day Centre represents exactly the kind of frontline organisation we want to support. Their daily work offers dignity, nourishment and hope to thousands of people across Dublin, and it is an honour for us to contribute in a practical way. By supplying a year’s worth of a high-demand food product, we can make an immediate difference while also strengthening the Centre’s ability to serve a growing community. I am delighted that our first partnership of this kind in Ireland supports such a respected and compassionate charity.”
Fr Kevin Kiernan, Director at the Capuchin Day Centre, added: “This donation from the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation could not come at a more important time for the people we support. Tinned beans may seem simple, but for many families they are one of the most valuable and nutritious items in a weekly parcel when budgets are under real pressure. Knowing that we can include two tins every week for the next year provides enormous reassurance to the thousands of people who depend on us. We are deeply grateful to Sir Stelios and his Foundation for recognising this need and responding so generously. Their support will have a very real impact on people experiencing food insecurity across Dublin.”
