Helping Hand Waterford Celebrates a Decade of Community Support

Helping Hand Waterford, the volunteer-run charity providing food and support to the homeless and vulnerable in Waterford, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Founded in 2015 as a small community effort offering soup and sandwiches at Merchant’s Quay, the organisation now operates a full soup kitchen five evenings a week from its base on Mary Street. Each night, volunteers serve between 35 and 50 hot meals, along with food hampers, sleeping bags, tents, and advocacy support. “For ten years, Helping Hand Waterford has been about compassion and community,” said Vivienne Burns, Chairperson of Helping Hand Waterford. “We meet people where they are and offer dignity, warmth and hope — no questions asked.” The charity, which was granted official charitable status in 2023, operates on a non-judgemental, non-denominational basis and is open to all, regardless of background or circumstance. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the group maintained uninterrupted service to ensure no one was left behind. Looking ahead, Helping Hand Waterford plans to expand its support with a daytime drop-in service, an emergency accommodation fund, and continued outreach to those facing fuel poverty and homelessness. This morning (Monday) on 'Deise Today', Damien was joined in studio by Stephanie Keating from 'The Helping Hand'. You can listen back to their chat by clicking on the image above. For the latest podcasts and news, tune into WLR and download the WLR App for news on demand.