An Chistin’s Meals on Wheels project in Castlerea was started as a community response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As government lockdown procedures began taking effect in March 2020, it became clear that the more vulnerable members of the local community were going to need help to protect themselves from the virus.
Harmac Medical stepped in with an initial large cash donation to An Chistin, which enabled it to transform from its usual business of training chefs as a Cookery School to becoming a Community
Kitchen, preparing and delivering up to 100 meals a day, on a seven day a week basis, covering a 15-mile radius of Castlerea Town.
Those receiving meals were the elderly, those cocooning and vulnerable individuals who had underlying health issues, as these people are most at risk. It was also made possible by the continued support of dedicated local volunteers in the kitchen and making the deliveries.
The staff at An Chistin are overwhelmed with how supportive the local community has been at this difficult time. The responses to their social media updates on the project, as well as the feedback they are getting on a daily basis from members of the public, has been so touching.
It has been great to see the fantastic community spirit of Castlerea individuals and businesses all
pulling together to protect the vulnerable in our community.
