EDITORIAL

A SOUP kitchen is something one associates with Famine times in Ireland, when people depended on them for their very survival.

In modern times, they have been established in large urban areas, where poverty is a major social issue but did you ever think you would see one opening in Ennis in 2013?
Oliver Williams, who has set up the charity Twist Soup Kitchens, which already has six centres nationwide, is opening a new centre in Ennis.
The Ennis soup kitchen project is being established in association with the Hope Assembly, who own premises on the Clare Road. From Monday, September 2, free food will be available every day for anyone in need, while there will also be limited 24-hour accommodation for homeless people, particularly women who are in difficulties.
“If they are in difficult relationships and they need emergency accommodation there is a limited amount there; it will be a safe place basically,” Mr Williams outlined.
It is in response to many calls from the people of Ennis where, like every other large town in Ireland, there are homeless and poverty issues.
Ennis hit the national headlines some months back when the body of homeless man Josef Pavelka, a 52-year-old Czech national, was found in a laneway off O’Connell Street. He and his friend, Piotr Baran, had been sleeping in a superloo in the town.
This is just one of countless stories about poverty and homelessness, some linked to alcohol and drugs; women suffering from domestic violence or children at risk that have unfolded in Clare. For every single one we learn about, there are several more that remain under the radar.
Josef, Piotr and many other homeless people who have come to Ennis over the years, have been helped by voluntary organisations, clergy and religious orders, as well as caring individuals but it’s been very much on an ad-hoc basis. Groups operating under the umbrella of the Clare Homelessness Alliance have also helped enormously.
Unfortunately, it seems we’ve been blind to the fact that hunger is such a serious problem among many people in socially-deprived circumstances in Clare. Hunger is not confined to people who live rough or have addiction issues, however.
We’re all aware of how families on small incomes or social welfare try to make ends meet by buying “own brand” products and cutting out all treats. So too we all know that some families cut back on the food they eat each day and they’re lucky to have a pint of milk in the fridge at the end of the week. September means back to school and that puts added pressure on the household budget.
Hunger to the point where it is necessary to open a soup kitchen in Ennis is quite a shock. Remember, the facility is there for those who need it; you cannot allow pride to get in the way of getting food.
The Twist Soup Kitchens’ concept has been highly successful in the six other locations. Wholesale distributors regularly donate food, while cold storage facilities have also been made available. It is hoped this level of supports will materialise in the Clare area for the Ennis centre.

One step closer

THE scent of an All-Ireland senior hurling title is wafting in the air around the Banner County. The manner of Clare’s victory over Limerick in last Sunday’s semi-final has raised expectations of a title for the first time since 1997.
The Clare lads stood tall in Croke Park on Sunday; many of them delivering performances that will have them already pencilled in for All-Star consideration. Limerick, the pre-match favourites, just couldn’t come to terms with the Clare performance and especially the way they lined out.
Now, All-Ireland final day beckons. Cork will meet a very different Clare, compared to the one they beat in the Munster championship. Clare have grown in confidence and this, in turn, has been reflected in their improved hurling. While individual players stand out, it’s all about the team effort.
As the team and mentors remain hidden in closed training sessions until the big day, it’s the fans’ turn to up the ante. The feel-good factor that Clare hurling has created so far this year should be reciprocated.
For those who haven’t done so already, it’s time to have the saffron and blue colours flying high in every street in every town and village in the county.
In fact, this should be done before Saturday, when Clare U-21s face Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final in Thurles. Given that so many of the seniors are part of the side, it will be a great opportunity to travel and see these young men in action before the biggest hurling event of the year on September 8.