A new homeless Initiative by FNB.

dublin | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis

Thursday June 22, 2017 23:47

by Bernie Wright - Food Not Bombs Dublin County.

Sharing food with the homeless: A Call for kind people to help us.

Food Not Bombs recovers and shares free vegan food with the public without restriction in over 1,000 cities around the world to protest war, poverty and the destruction of the environment.
Each group is independent and invites everyone to participate in making decisions for their local chapter using the consensus process.

Food Not Bombs is dedicated to taking nonviolent direct action to change society so no one is forced to stand in line to eat at a soup kitchen expressing a commitment to the fact that food is a right and not a privilege. With over a billion people going hungry each day how can we spend money on weapons or war.

A new initiative has been started in Dublin. we appeal for volunteers.

FNB Dublin County was formed with a focus on how to help the unfortunate people who have lost their homes. We are planning to do monthly events distributing food, clothes, bedding and supplies to those who come to our table seeking help. Our first event at the Central Bank in Dame Street last week reached well over 100 people and our prepared food was cleared out in 40 minutes.
Fruit, sandwiches, drinks, clothes and bedding are priorities to those living outdoors so we will be continuously gathering these things to distribute. Funding so far has been within the group but we now urgently need donations from food shops for our events to continue.

Mainly we need people to make VEGAN Sandwiches or prepare vegan food and meals for the hungry on our streets. Another aspect of soup run type events is that the homeless can sit, chat and ask us to help them with other requirements or to help with information on what is available to them.
We had some first-time volunteers last week and they really felt it was a learning curve. We invite those of you with some spare time to come along and get involved. The volunteers were surprised children were part of the picture and this also reinforced the dire need for humane services for the unfortunate people forced to endure all weathers and dangers on our streets.

Books will also be collected by ourselves as anyone who loves books is aware that reading passes time when you are wandering all day and many restaurants will not allow the homeless to drop in for a tea or a coffee.Backpacks are also needed as every person on the streets uses them. Smaller paperbacks are best as these have to be carried for long periods.
Sleeping bags, socks, towels, footwear are a necessity also.Toothpaste, brushes, deodorants and things many use without considering them to be a luxury are just that to people without spare cash.

Dublin still has by far the largest number of homeless people, with 3247 homeless adults (not including rough sleepers) in January 2017. Not having a home can make it harder for individuals to find a job, stay healthy and maintain relationships.

There are many fantastic 'homeless' groups on the streets of Dublin every night, they do a vital job. FNB is just another small group, adding our small efforts to theirs.

Youtube short interview below.

'The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it'.

Youtube link below.

We would also be delighted to receive donations of instant coffee, tea bags, non-dairy milk, paper cups (preferably with lids).