Paul KeenanThe Society of St Vincent de Paul expects to help 140,000 people in need over the Christmas season, it has revealed.
As it undertakes its annual appeal for donations, the society said that despite signs of recovery in areas of the economy, calls to its offices nationwide were still at recession levels and set to increase this month.
“This Christmas, over 140,000 people in communities across the country will ask SVP for help with food, fuel and basic clothing,” the society said.
Launch
The launch of the SVP Christmas appeal comes as it was revealed this week that, for the first time in 40 years, the Cork office of St Vincent de Paul has no cash reserve as it faces into the Christmas period.
Working now to complete 3,500 Christmas hampers, three times more than in 2015, the office has suffered through what it calls an “unprecedented rise in calls for help”, placing a very real strain on its cash flow.
Worse than ever
“Upturn? What upturn?” said regional vice president for the south west Brendan Dempsey. “It’s worse than it’s ever been.”
Donations to the SVP annual appeal can be made via www.svp.ie, or can be given locally. Cheques payable to Society of St Vincent de Paul National Council can be sent to SVP, PO Box 1234, Dublin 1, or sent directly to a regional office.
