Charities festive plans affected by COVID shortfall

Christmas year is going to be completely different for everyone.

Currently many sectors in society are uncertain how Christmas will be for them.

Retailers are worried that they might not be allowed to reopen in time.

Restaurants and bars are fearful that the traditional parties and trade, the life blood of their business, will not be prohibited.

Religious leaders are concerned that the services which are such an important part of Christmas will not be allowed.

Children are going to miss out on the pre- Christmas parties in schools and clubs which are a big part of their enjoyment.

For one sector in our community, the numerous charities and voluntary organisations who make Christmas tolerable for those in need, this Christmas will present problems they never previously encountered.

Many of them starved off their normal flow of donations and proceeds from fundraising activities are concerned that they may not have sufficient funds to meet the demand.

One such body is the St. Vincent de Paul, and Area President Kevin Mulligan revealed this week that their two main sources of revenue, monthly church gate collections, and sales in their shops have been badly hit.

‘Our revenue is down by almost 50% at this stage but demand for help is growing all the time’ said Mr. Mulligan.

Last month alone, the SVP in the north-east (covering counties Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan and Westmeath) received over 3,000 calls over and above their normal requests at this time of the year.

Until now the SVP in Dundalk have been able to cope. ‘Our team of volunteers in the nine Conferences in the town have been dealing with requests for help by phone as they are unable to visit homes, and through their dedication and at considerable sacrifice to themselves have been managing to get help to families’, he said.

Christmas will however provide problems never previously encountered.

Traditionally many groups in town like the SVP, Lions Club, Rotary Club and Old and Underprivileged operate food banks to which members of the public, schools, firms and others donate items of food.

COVIDd has ended that great tradition for in many cases it will not be possible for food parcels to be delivered as in previous years, and donors are being encouraged to donate food and toy vouchers.

‘We always operated a food depot from which we distributed almost 1,000 parcels last year,’ said Mr. Mulligan.

He was delighted that many who donated in the past are anxious to continue and are looking at a variety of means by which they can donate.

‘While there are logistical problems to be overcome this year, and funds are a concern, we are determined that any family in need will not go without this year’, said Mr. Mulligan.

He added ‘already I have many calls from firms, schools and individuals offering their support and we deeply appreciate that support. Our volunteers are determined to overcome any problems that may encounter to ensure that we can lessen the impact that Covid has had on many lives’.