Around 2,500 people queued for Christmas food parcels at the Capuchin Centre in Dublin in freezing temperatures this morning.

The queue, which began before 8am, stretched down the street and around the corner and included elderly people and children.

The shocking number of people on the breadline was no surprise to Brother Kevin Crowley, who runs the centre.

“Last year we gave out about 2,500 parcels but this year I think it will probably go over 3,000,” he told the Irish Times. 

“It is shocking, but I am not surprised. What is really appalling to see is the number of children coming here, mothers with children."

Each person in the queue will receive two blue plastic bags, one of perishable foods like bread and milk, and one of imperishable items like tinned beans, tea and sugar. 

Yesterday President Michael D Higgins visited the Capuchin Day Centre to commend the volunteers packing the parcels for their hard work.