Soup kitchen to open in Ennis

A CHARITY soup kitchen, serving up to 180 dinners weekly, is to be established in Ennis. Athenry man, Ollie Williams, has already opened soup kitchens in Galway, Roscommon, Athlone and Limerick.
Twist Soup Kitchens is an entirely voluntary movement and its establishment was inspired by Mr Williams’ brief experience as a homeless 15-year-old in London in the 1980s. Having conducted some research, he said a soup kitchen will be opened in Ennis in the coming weeks.
“I would hope to have it open within two weeks. That would be my plan. That’s subject to finding a suitable premises. I’m working very closely with Josie O’Brien in Ennis. She does what I’m doing, albeit from her home. We’re just complementing her service and Josie is working very closely with us, to make her life a little bit easier and get the food to people who need it most,” Mr Williams explained.
He is adamant that Ennis needs the soup kitchen, which he predicts will provide about 180 dinners weekly.
“I haven’t singled out Ennis for any other reason than I have been talking closely with people on the ground there. I have the support and help that I need in Ennis to get it up and running. I would envisage that we’ll be catering for about 30 people daily. What we do is a nice beef stew, available all day along, with tea, coffee and cakes,” he explained.
Mr Williams maintains the soup kitchen’s location, which has yet to be finalised, is not that significant.
“It’s not a business so it doesn’t really matter where we are, as long as people can access us quite easily,” he said.
The former emigrant is convinced soup kitchens are badly needed, given the economic crisis that is engulfing the country.
“I’m just giving back what I got myself years ago. Unfortunately, we are in times when soup kitchens are needed and that’s it. I don’t see any green shoots in the country. This trend will continue; mass emigration, mass unemployment and a national debt that is rising,” he stated, adding that soup kitchen regulars are usually in need of sustenance.
“From my experience of the four kitchens I’ve opened already, we don’t seem to get people abusing the system,” Mr Williams said.
The Twist Soup Kitchens are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm. More information can be obtained on www.twistsoupkitchen.com or from Mr Williams on 087 7773845.