NOVAS, a registered charity supporting people experiencing homelessness, has launched an urgent appeal to raise funds for a replacement street outreach van to support vulnerable people in Limerick City.
Members of the public are encouraged to support the appeal by donating online at novas.ie/donate.
Operating 365 days a year since 2010, the NOVAS street outreach service provides hot meals, toiletries, and a compassionate presence to people sleeping rough, or struggling on the margins of society. This year alone, the service has already provided over 18,250 meals.
The service is volunteer-led and supported by NOVAS employees. It is funded entirely by donations, with food and supplies also donated by businesses in the local community.
“Our current outreach van, after years of heavy daily use, has become unreliable and is no longer fit for purpose. With demand at record levels – some nights assisting up to 50 people – NOVAS urgently requires a new, custom-fitted vehicle to ensure we can continue delivering this essential lifeline to those experiencing homelessness for many years to come,” NOVAS said.
One NOVAS volunteer, Abdulaziz, describes how important the van is, saying that it is “essential for transporting food and supplies, but it is becoming unreliable. At times it won’t even start.”
“The van is also quite cramped, especially when we are carrying a full load of food and equipment. A larger van would allow us to transport more supplies, serve more people, and work more efficiently, particularly during bad weather or on very busy nights.”
NOVAS aims to raise enough money to replace the van by the end of the year. To date, the charity has secured funds through the Limerick Business Breakfast held in February 2025.
All funds donated to this appeal will go towards: a safer, reliable and more efficient van; a bigger van serving more people hot meals and vital supplies; ensuring no one goes hungry in Limerick City.
NOVAS is also holding a table quiz on Thursday September 11 to raise funds for the new street outreach van, at 1314 at Jerry Flannery’s Pub, Cecil Street, Limerick, at 7.30pm.
Limerick Rose Leah McMahon, herself a NOVAS Volunteer and the face of this campaign, said that “this is such an important service for the most vulnerable people in Limerick. I urge everyone to get behind the campaign by either making a donation or joining us at the table quiz, so no-one is left behind.”
