24/11/2017
Sub-zero in a tent while others debate emails!
This is the Royal Canal in phibsborough today...
We despair at the constant selling directed at us, the Americanisation and hyper consumerism that seems to increase every year. The media lap it up and lots of society seems to be too, a need to buy things you don’t need, things you’ll hardly ever use, things that’ll be thrown away without a second thought.....While others can’t enjoy the safety of a home and place to sleep.
Big businesses and corporations are taking over this little island....often paying little or no taxes through clever accountancy practices, they’ve decimated the independent shops of Ireland and laugh at the loopholes afforded to them by our government.
Shops like ourselves try our best to contribute to our local area, to be kind to people, to employ some people living in the area and promote local independent producers.
We’ve already said, as we did last year, that anyone who comes in tomorrow and says they’re not into the Black Friday business can have a free tea/coffee and we’ll shake their hand.
What we also want to do is this.... We’ve no desire to try and gain anything from this post, but we are acutely aware of the awful situation just a hundred metres from our shop and across this city. Along the banks of the Royal Canal....in Leo’s “Republic of Opportunity”, people are living in tents. Tonight it’ll drop below freezing, in an area where some houses are now half a million euro and more, and men and women will be lying in tents...
Tomorrow rather than try sell you something or offer discounts and gimmick deals we’re going to donate 10% of our total sales and all our tips to the local and amazing Peter McVerry Trust.
As many homeless people in the area already know.....we give free hot drinks to those in need anytime, and also have dignity packs hanging inside the door for those facing the most difficult of times.
As the constant barrage of messages hit you, telling you to buy new stuff you don't need, remember the important things....your mates, your family, your dog or cat, a walk in the mountains, helping those less fortunate than yourself, a swim in the sea, contributing to society and making this a better country for all, telling someone you love them, remembering those gone but not forgotten.....reminding yourself that this tiny island is a grand aul place without listening to the mega corporations.
Think of those sleeping on the canal tonight and how as a society we must help those struggling to survive ###
