Meath Food Bank saved from closure

A Trim woman who distributes food hampers to homeless and struggling families across the county has vowed to carry on her voluntary work after being instructed to close down the Meath Food Bank which she operates from her home.

Meath West TD Peadar Toibin has offered the use of his constituency office in Trim town centre following claims that Meath County Council have called a halt to the initiative due to complaints from local residents. 

Charity worker Ashling Lowe says that she was shocked when two council officials turned up at her home on Monday to inform her that she could no longer operate the vital community service that donates food hampers to needy families from her home in Mornington Way. 

"On Monday out of the blue two council officials arrived at my door and said that there had been a complaint about traffic and comings and goings from the foodbank. They said because I'm in a council property that I cannot run a business from it but I told them that I'm not running a business, I'm running a service that gives food to families who are hungry.

The Meath Food Bank receives donations of food for local families.

"I am absolutely heartbroken. This Christmas alone within two weeks we provided food hampers to 77 families and the majority of those were homeless families in emergency accommodation. 

"Here in front of me in a picture frame is a certificate of honour presented to me by the chairperson and members of Trim Municipal District to congratulate me on my work within the community from the county council. In one sense they congratulate me and then they tell me, sorry you can't run it. 

"The only people that are going to suffer are the families. I am devastated but I'm not giving up. Thankfully Peadar Toibin has saved our skin and is allowing us to continue our much-needed service with the use of his office. 

"I have a tonne of hampers ready to go out to families because we are back into the new year where people have got nothing, it the worst time. I am not going to refuse people that are asking for food when I have a cabin full to the roof.

"Before Peadar got in touch I had decided that I wasn't going to give up on people who needed me and I was going to post food vouchers instead but the elderly in rural areas depend on us dropping the likes of a food hamper to because they are nowhere near a shop." 

 

Lilly Moriarty Rennicks with Aisling Lowe and Cllr Alan Lawes who volunteer with Meath Food Bank

Ashling was inspired to start a movement to help struggling families in Meath after vowing to return the generosity she and her family received from the local community when a fire gutted the home she shared with her mother in Athboy just after her First Communion.

Kind-hearted Ashling (39), says she never forgot the way people rallied around her family during that difficult time and has dedicated much of her adult life to helping those in need.

“My mother and I were made homeless in the 80s when our house burned to the ground in a house fire in Athboy. Literally, all we had is what we stood in, we lost everything. The people in Athboy were so kind, they all got together and helped us out."

The community activist insists that the food bank did not cause any disruption. 

"The road I live on is at the end of a cul de sac and there is never any traffic issues. 

Ashling Lowe and volunteers. 

"When the volunteers return from their drops to families that are in bad situations they always come back to the house for a cup of coffee and talk about what had happened and if they want to have a cry before they go home they can.

"I have been inundated with messages of support from my neighbours who are really angry at this.  I can't understand who would do this. 

"I just hope that whoever reported me never needs help. I hope they never need a tin of beans or a loaf of bread and that they always have an abundance of food in their press because all I have been trying to do is help people. 

"At this minute I have two hampers waiting to go out, one to homeless emergency accommodation in Navan and another to a lady who s struggling on her own with rent, these are the people that stand to suffer as a result of someone reporting me." 

"We are finishing our last week and my home which housed the food bank since 2017. I can't stop crying today, I'm absolutely gutted." 

"It was never a forever solution to have it at the side of the house. I was hoping as time went on that I'd get charity status and we could move into premises." 

"I am not going to refuse people that are asking for food when I have a cabin full to the roof."

Meath West TD Peadar Toibin commented:

"The Food Bank does tremendous work and we are of the view that it would be shocking to see that work come to a halt in any way so we have offered to make our constituency office available to Ashling and the volunteers until they secure another premises."

A spokesperson for Meath County Council has commented that:

"The Council cannot comment on matters in relation to individual tenancies.  Tenancy agreements set out in detail the basis on which individuals can occupy a Council house and the conditions that they must comply with. 

"In cases where the Council receives a complaint regarding possible breaches of a tenancy agreement, this is investigated by the Housing Department to establish if any breach has occurred and what follow up action may be required."