‘We’re really tired at this stage, people will be left without food’ – Dublin homeless charity say soup runs are under threat

A homeless charity in Dublin stated that they are “really tired,” and they fear that ‘people will be left without food,” as it is getting more difficult to do soup runs.

Muslim Sisters of Eire says that there are real concerns about soup runs in Ireland as many are shutting down as they are “not a registered charity or HSE registered soup run.”

They admitted that they are “appalled this is happening as it impacts the most vulnerable who depend solely on these soup runs.”

Muslim Sisters of Eire is both a registered charity and a HSE soup run. They have been notified by an EHO officer that their books, premises and safe catering data and equipment will be examined.

“It is so discouraging when people like us and our sister soup runs are trying to help and give support to the less fortunate, to the people in dire need, but our government is willing to put a stop to their activities.

“We are really tired at this stage and our heart is aching, not only for the soup runs who are being shut down but for friends and our sister soup runs with whom we have been working for eight years and are no longer operating. It is saddening to think about people that will be left now without food.

“We must remember that each soup run represents a person, a family, someone homeless, someone destitute, someone in need, in a nutshell soup runs represent caring, it represents humanity.

“That itself, is what is being shut down. Imagine only this evening, despite a long queue, we were able to serve 485 meals, from hot food, bread to fruits and cakes, all within an hour and a half.

“That’s all we have to say tonight, and we thank you for your consistent support to Muslim Sisters of Eire.

“United we stand, united we be together and unite we will not forget the forgotten people,” Muslim Sisters of Eire said in a statement.

The charity previously called on restaurants to support them, they said that they can contact them through Facebook, email, or their website: msoe.ie.

“Each week we have a few issues with the soup run whether that be with managing the queue or helping people understand that we will get to them and help them as much as possible.

“We have recently started going down the queue and attending to people who are waiting for their hot food by passing down fruit, pastries, and yogurts with a spoon.

“We understand how extremely tiring and exhausting it can be to wait for almost two hours in a queue, so we try our best to accommodate for that by providing them with some food while they wait,” they added.

The Charity Regulator has been contacted for comment.

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