Employees of workplace services provider Sodexo Ireland raised over €10,000 for the 2023 Focus Ireland Shine A Light night on Friday 13 October, bringing the total amount raised to over €45,000 in the past five years. Funds raised by the employees go towards the charity’s coffee shop in Dublin city centre and this year’s contribution will be used to provide nutritious meals, advice and information to around 100 clients of Focus Ireland.

For Shine A Light night, a team of employees from all over Ireland joined managing director, David Fox, to sleep outdoors in the Wicklow mountains. The leadership and account teams within Sodexo organised activities including Halloween wreath making, a sponsored cycle and bake sales to boost the fundraising efforts.

Operating 365 days a year, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Focus Ireland coffee shop ensures people affected by homelessness with no access to hot meals can be catered for in a safe, secure and welcoming environment.

Focus Ireland takes great care in designing its coffee shop menus to make sure healthy, balanced, and nutritious meals are provided for its customers. The meals are heavily subsidised with fundraising from companies like Sodexo, with meat and vegetarian and vegan options offered.

David Fox, managing director, Sodexo Ireland said, “Shine a Light Night is a timely reminder of what some individuals and families must face every single day in Ireland. Sodexo is committed to enhancing the capacity and capabilities for those more vulnerable in our communities and work towards creating equity for all. Thank you so much to all our volunteers, our clients and our suppliers for their support over the past five years. Not only does the money raised by our employees provide nutritious meals to support a person’s physical health and wellbeing, but it also helps to keep the patrons of the coffee shop connected to vital services and supports social interaction."

Focus Ireland is the leading not-for-profit working to prevent people becoming, remaining or returning to homelessness. Every year, thousands of people in cities, towns and communities nationwide volunteer to sleep out for one night and raise funds.

Niall Gaffney, corporate fundraising manager at Focus Ireland, said, “It is only through the dedication and resilience from our supporters, like Sodexo, that Focus Ireland can maintain and continue to provide its services to the thousands of individuals, families, children, and young people who rely on our support each year. Sodexo has been an integral part of our Shine A Light campaign over the past five years, and we cannot thank them enough for not only the funds they raise but for being true advocates in the mission to end homelessness.”

Sodexo Ireland is part of the global Sodexo Group, a world leader in delivering services that improve the quality of life to clients in business and industry, education, financial, pharma and healthcare. These include food services, infrastructure build, facilities and estate management, optimising the workplace experience, wellness experiences, personal and homecare services. Sodexo employs 2,000 people in over 200 locations in Ireland and Northern Ireland.