Mallow digs deep to help families in need

CALLS TO ST VINCENT DE PAUL HAVE INCREASED BY AROUND 10% ON LAST DECEMBER

THE generosity of the wider Mallow community has ensured that up to 400 struggling families from across the area will not have to worry about putting food on their tables this Christmas.

Speaking to The Corkman Pat Murphy, of the Mallow conference of St Vincent de Paul and member of the regional council, said that calls to the society are up by around 10% on this time last year – with the branch set to spend up to €50,000 on helping those in need in the lead up to Christmas.

Mr Murphy said that while some urban areas may be experiencing a post-recession ‘pick-up’, there was little evidence of this happening in more rural areas.

Mr Murphy also revealed that almost a decade of recession and increased calls from those in need of assistance had eaten into the society’s funds and reserves.

His words echoed those of Brendan Dempsey, the St Vincent de Paul regional vice president , who recently revealed that the €4 million held in reserve by the society in 2008 had now been depleted.

“Nine years of recession and increased calls for assistance for those in need have dramatically reduced our funds. The reserve fund in the south west region (which covers Cork and Kerry) as at January 2016 was zero,” said Mr Murphy.

“We have now reached the stage where we are trying to put money to one side for the next recession – make no mistake that is coming,” said Mr Murphy.

Despite this Mr Murphy said the Mallow conference is still managing to provide at least 50 bags of food per week to families, at an average cost of €20 per bag.

“As a conference we will have spent approximately €180,000 in Mallow alone in 2016 assisting people caught in the poverty trap and in difficult situations with food, heat, light, education,” said Mr Murphy.

“The sad fact is that some parents cannot afford food for the week and some families can’t afford heating with children having to go to bed early in order to simply keep warm. Even two income families are struggling to survive week-to week what with USC and income tax payments, mortgage repayments, childcare and education associated costs.”

He said that while donations to the charity sector had undoubtedly been affected by the much publicised events of recent years, the society remains committed to challenging what he described as the “social injustices” of poverty, isolation and the increasing gap between the rich and poor.

“We are grateful to the many people who the many members of the public who are still digging deep to help those less fortunate than themselves, particularly at this time of year,” said Mr Murphy.

He also thanked the businesses in Mallow who have helped out with their Christmas appeal. These include the Barry Group, which has donated 200 hampers and Colman Cronin who donated 100 bags of potatoes to their Christmas appeal.

The cinema in Mallow also donated trolleys of food it collected from patrons to the society.

“There are many examples of large and small donations – all of which have made an immense difference. Quite simply put, we could not do what we do without all the generous contributions we receive on a weekly basis, and especially at Christmas, from the people of the Mallow area,” said Mr Murphy.

“Our sincere thanks go out to everyone who has helped in any way to help shine some light into the lives of those who need our help the most.”