Paul Ryan and Family Pretend to Volunteer for Soup Kitchen Photo Op

A Youngstown, Ohio soup kitchen reports that the Romney-Ryan campaign “ramrodded their way” into the dining hall so that Ryan could have his photo taken while he pretended to wash dishes.

Brian J. Antal, president of the Mahoning County St. Vincent De Paul Society, reported that Ryan and his entourage arrived after people had already eaten and the hall had been cleaned. “The photo-op they did wasn’t even accurate. He did nothing. He just came in here to get his picture taken at the dining hall.”

According to bystanders, Ryan, his wife, and his children donned aprons and began to wash already clean pots and pans while photographers snapped pictures of their good works.

Antal says he would not have granted permission for the visit, as the charity is funded by private donations.  “We’re a faith-based organization; we are apolitical because the majority of our funding is from private donations.  It’s strictly in our bylaws not to do it. They showed up there and they did not have permission.”

He concluded,”Had they asked for permission, it wouldn’t have been granted. … But I certainly wouldn’t have let him wash clean pans and then take a picture.”