A soup kitchen serving 60 regular customers in Sligo has been closed down by the HSE due to inadequate toilet facilities.
Oliver Williams had set up a series of six soup kitchens for those in need across Ireland but all have now been closed due to planning concerns.
The only toilets in the Sligo kitchen were located behind the cooking facilities and were deemed unsuitable for customers. However, The Examiner reports that agreement has been reached to operate the kitchen when the internal lay-out problem is resolved.
Williams says he was inspired to provide the service after being helped by a soup kitchen in London as a teenager and has noticed a huge uptake from the public.
“We keep hearing about the recession lifting on the east coast, but no way is it happening in the west of Ireland. I see people stretched to the limit every day. Single mothers in housing estates are struggling and there are children going to school hungry.”
Mr Williams has also opened a mobile free-food service, which drops off juice, vegetables, meat and canned goods from refrigerated trucks to needy homes.
