Local St Vincent De Paul service are looking for your support
WITH 90,000 PEOPLE IN CATCHMENT AREA, AND DESPITE AN UPTURN IN THE ECONOMY, THERE IS STILL A HUGE NEED FOR THE SERVICE. ALISON COMYN REPORTS
WITH a move to a new location for their largest shop now in progress, St Vincent de Paul in Drogheda is reminding its supporters of the vital work it does in the town, and how important their shops are to their revenue stream.
As reported in last week’s Drogheda Independent, the Vincent’s Living shop in Narrow West Street is closing to make way for the temporary return of the council staff to the car park in Fair Street.
However, the local charity says they are optimistic the new premises on the North Road, Drogheda, will allow them to continue their much-needed support for the poor, homeless or those in need of assistance in the town.
‘ The shops in Drogheda are one of our main sources of revenue and we have grown more dependent on sales there over the years,’ says Pat Heeney, who looks after one of the ten SVP conferences for the Drogheda catchment area.
‘Our conferences take in some 90,000 people, so with that money, we can look after those who need it most, whether that is furnishing a home, educational support, help with utilities or the annual Christmas hampers.’
Even though Ireland has seen a bounce in its economy over the past few years, that upturn has not been felt by all.
‘ There is still a huge demand on our services, and our conferences (separate committees in areas including Laytown, Bellewstown, Rathkenny, Slane, Monasterboice and Clogherhead) meet every week to discuss who has been in touch to seek our assistance,’ explains Pat.
‘We review all the requests, which might run into the hundreds in total, and set up a visitation to see what we can do.’
Both Pat and Michael Grogan, who will take over from Joe Sweeney as president in September, are keen to dispel some of the myths surrounding how they use the funds used from people’s generous donations.
‘Contrary to what some may think, we don’t go around willy-nilly, handing out money to anyone who asks,’ says Michael, who has been a volunteer for decades.
‘ There is a rigorous process, where a detailed form is filled out, and then two volunteers will chat to the client to make sure they are genuine cases. We really want to make the most of the funds.’
Along with the low income or single parent families they have always helped, they are now getting calls from people who would have always made a major contribution to society, but in recent years have found themselves on social welfare or with big debts.
But in recent months, the volunteers have been able to use furniture and other household items to help residents being housed in estates like Liscorrie off Crosslanes, Drogheda.
‘ The items are so well received, with recipients very grateful for whatever they can get as it makes a huge difference to their lives,’ adds Michael.
‘Luckily donations are strong in Drogheda, and we hope this will be kept up in the new location.’
With the news that Peter McVerry Trust is to open an office in the town to assist with homelessness here, has SVP seen an increase in recent years?
‘It is not a huge issue in Drogheda, but we do see a lot coming from Dublin to seek housing here,’ says Michael Grogan, who will take over from Joe Sweeney as president in September.
‘Sometimes emergency accommodation can’t be found in Dublin, and they get sent here, to maybe find a bed and breakfast in the town, but we mostly deal with residents, mainly the genuine hardship cases.’
‘We work very closely with the Women and Children’s Refuge, and with Drogheda Homeless Aid and make sure we can support them in every way we can,’ adds Peter.
The new shop on the North Road will complement the three other locations in the town, one of which garners a lot of attention!
‘Each shop has its high points, but we must acknowledge the work of Lisa McArdle in the Laurence Centre store, who has won several awards for her creative window displays, at home and abroad,’ says Pat.
‘Gillian Tuite also does amazing work as manager of Vincent’s Living in Narrow West Street, as does furniture manager Eugene Nash and everyone who give of their time.’
Donations can be given to any of the shops in Drogheda – Laurence Town Centre, Trinity Street and Magdalene Street – with a clearance sale taking place in Narrow West Street ahead of this month’s move to the North Road.
‘We are all the time looking for help and good, clean donations, and want to assure people that what you give is put to very good use, that is fair to those receiving assistance, and those giving help,’ says Michael.
‘Your donation can help someone in your community have a better life.’
If you need the help of SVP Drogheda, they can be contacted on (041) 983 9848.