{"id":4141,"date":"2022-07-20T11:01:02","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T10:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ie.depaulcharity.org\/?post_type=news&p=4141"},"modified":"2022-07-20T16:09:46","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T15:09:46","slug":"meet-chef-mark","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/ie.depaulcharity.org\/news\/meet-chef-mark\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping the hungry and homeless: Meet Chef Mark"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How Your Kindness Feeds Body and Soul<\/h2>\n
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\u201cA lot of the homeless people who walk through these doors haven\u2019t eaten properly in months.\u201d \u2014 Chef Mark\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A home-cooked meal. A cup of hot, sweet tea. A moment of humanity\u2026 Feeding hungry, homeless people is one of the most fundamental parts of the good work you power here at Depaul.<\/p>\n

Chef Mark puts your generosity into action every day, and he wants you to know the very real difference your kindness makes in the lives of the homeless people he serves…<\/p>\n

You wouldn\u2019t believe the power of something as simple as a cup of tea and a biscuit,\u201d <\/em>says Mark, Depaul\u2019s chef at Ozanam House homeless hostel in Wexford. <\/em><\/p>\n

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\u201cA lot of the people I meet live most of their lives on the street. It’s just a cup of tea… but you can’t underestimate the comfort of it.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This will be Mark\u2019s 13th year feeding Ireland\u2019s homeless and hungry. He says he loves every second of his job.<\/p>\n

And he\u2019s forever grateful for generosity like yours. Because you keep the lights on and the kettle warm here.<\/p>\n

Thanks to you, there is a place for all the lost and lonely people. A place where a hot meal, a kind word, and help and hope can always be found.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf you could see the appreciation people have of getting a hot meal\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

They\u2019re so grateful to have a plate of home-cooked dinner in front of them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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More than a meal<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For Chef Mark, his work is more than just a job. It\u2019s about delivering your love and humanity in every meal he serves\u2026<\/p>\n

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\u201cEven if I\u2019m finishing my shift and I’m out the door… If someone comes along and missed a meal \u2013 I don\u2019t refuse them, I make sure they get something.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve gotten to know a lot of people, and sometimes they will come to me feeling low. I say, ‘come on, let\u2019s get a cup of tea and have a chat\u2019 \u2014 I\u2019m not here to judge, just to listen. Often they have no one in their life they can talk to.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Mark remembers one older man who he hadn’t seen before.<\/p>\n

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“He came up to me after dinner and said \u2018thank you for talking to me like I’m a real person.’ I couldn\u2019t believe that. Just being able to sit down to have a meal and a chat\u2026 it meant the world to him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Comfort food<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In many ways, our Depaul kitchens are at the heart of the work you power here, fulfilling the most basic of human needs.<\/p>\n

Mark makes hearty, comforting meals like cabbage and bacon, shepherd’s pie, and always lots of fresh vegetables.<\/p>\n

\u00a0And when it comes to people sleeping rough and eating mainly fast food or meal deals, Chef Mark believes good food\u00a0 is vital for recovery…<\/p>\n

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\u201cThere was one young fella who came in. He was skin and bones. He probably hadn\u2019t had a proper meal in years. A few months later, he left our services, and he looked like a different person. It made me really happy to be part of that transformation.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

For every moment of mercy and humanity you bring to people who are homeless and hungry… thank you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Read more about Chef Mark and the Depaul team in Depaul Diaries Summer Edition here<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

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To support the work of Chef Mark in Depaul’s kitchens, please donate today.<\/p>\n

Donate Now<\/a><\/p>\n

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