Veep wannabee Paul Ryan pulled a fast one at an empty soup kitchen, pretending to pitch in and wash dishes that were already clean ... this according to the President of the charity.

Brian J. Antal says Ryan and his wife showed up at the kitchen in Youngstown, Ohio, AFTER all of the food had been served and the patrons had left ... and the dishes, pots and pans were already washed.

Antal says he was not at the kitchen at the time of Ryan's visit -- but says if he was, Ryan would not have been allowed inside because the soup kitchen has a strict apolitical stance. Antal says Ryan's team convinced one of the kitchen volunteers to open the doors. Antal says he was not at the kitchen at the time of Ryan's visit -- but says if he was, Ryan would not have been allowed inside because the soup kitchen has a strict apolitical stance. Antal says Ryan's team convinced one of the kitchen volunteers to open the doors.

Antal says Ryan was there 15 minutes and it was just a shameless photo op, adding, "He did nothing. He just came in here to get his picture taken at the dining hall."