‘Disgraceful’ comments show that decision makers are out of touch

The recent "disgraceful" comments from the Taoiseach and other senior figures about the homeless crisis, “shows how far removed these people are from the reality of so many”.

That's according to local activist Ken Smollen, the founder of a Tullamore-based voluntary organisation that provides food packages to 300 impoverished local families every month.

Mr Smollen says that the comments by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other government figures, as well as from Eileen Gleeson, the director of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, are a deliberate effort to downplay or “airbrush” the high numbers of people experiencing severe economic difficulties.

Mr Smollen's organisation is currently providing food aid to hundreds of local families and that figure is constantly rising. Although there has been much talk about an economic recovery, the Tullamore activist says that many local families are struggling to feed themselves.

“We have almost 300 families in Offaly alone and its growing hugely.

“An independent study done by the trade union Mandate estimates that there are 8,700 people in Offaly in food poverty, if you take that there are four people in a family that's almost 2,200 families. We are only getting to 300.”

Mr Smollen says that the 300 local families that his group is currently helping come from a cross section of society, including a significant number “on the verge of mortgage distress”.
“They are paying every cent they have to keep the sheriff from their door and it's leaving them short of food. I have been with people who are surviving on one bowl of soup or rice a day.

“A lot of people are terrifed of the postman or postwoman calling to their door as they don't know what they are going to bring.”

A fundraisng event for the Ken Smollen Food Appeal is taking place in The Tullamore Court Hotel on December 6. Mr Smollen says that his organisation would not be able to keep going if it wasn't for the generosity of Offaly people.
“A number of businesses have been a big help and so have local groups like the Boy Scouts in Edenderry. A number of schools have also collected food for us. People have been brilliant.”

If you need help, you can contact Mr Smollen on 085 1432898.