Up to 80 local families avail of Helping the Homeless service

Councillors of the Clondalkin area have agreed to forward a letter of congratulations to Clondalkin Helping the Homeless (CHH) in recognition of their ten years of service.

The chairman, Councillor Francis Timmons (Ind), who founded the group, proposed the motion at the Clondalkin area committee meeting.

Cllr Timmons said that the group started as a soup kitchen outside Finches and outside Molloys. About 20-30 people availed of this service then, he later told The Echo.

He added that the group provide a foodbank at Bawnogue Community Centre every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm. This foodbank assists people in the Dublin mid-west area and deliveries are made by volunteers as needed or outside foodbank times. Up to 80 families avail of this service, Cllr Timmons told The Echo.

He said that he put down the motion to thank the volunteers who have given a lot of commitment over the last ten years.

Cllr Carey agreed with and seconded the motion and also referenced other groups and individuals in the Clondalkin area such as An Tús Nua, who provide foodstuff and clothing.

He said that there were seven other individuals in the Clondalkin area and also in Rathcoole who are heavily engaged in different charitable events.

He referenced Elaine Hyland and Emmet McCormack who, he said, are also engaged in raising funds and clothing banks. “And those other people have our acknowledgement as well,” he added.

Cllr Timmons agreed with Cllr Carey’s remarks and also referenced other services such as CASP (Clondalkin Addiction Support Programme). He said that the motion was “really to acknowledge the ten years” of service by the volunteers with CHH and he also acknowledged the work of the other organisations.

Tesco give the group food at sell by date and damaged goods for the foodbank, as they have available, a few nights each week.

“We also take in food donations that are in date,” Cllr Timmons told The Echo. “People are very generous, like there was a huge response over the Christmas,” he added.

Cllr Timmons was also keen to mention that they also regularly receive food donations throughout the year from the Church of Scientology, the Broadline recruitment group in Tallaght and the Vineyard Church.

He also said that there is a committee that meets “once or twice” a month to review the service that CHH is providing, how to get in more donations and to attend to any need that is not being met.

“So there is governance in place,” he said. If money is donated to CHH it is lodged to the CHH account and the committee decides on what will be done with the money, he added.

“For example, a set of delf could be bought for someone moving into a house,” he said.

The same approach is adopted regarding food donations and money donations, he added. “What comes in, goes out,” he said.

The group provide start up packs which include basics like a kettle, cups and bowls to people just moving into a new home who are awaiting a grant and anything they need.

CHH also provide an emergency service where sleeping bags / tents and supplies are given as needed.

Cllr Timmons said that CHH are always looking for drivers to collect items.

“At the minute there are not a lot of rough sleepers in the area,” Cllr Timmons said. “So, it’s fairly good that way,” he added. When CHH was set up in 2014 there were a lot of rough sleepers around Clondalkin, Cllr Timmons said. People who see someone in such need are also encouraged to contact CHH.