Calls to charity at an all-time high

200K FAMILIES STRUGGLE

ALMOST 200,000 families are seeking support from the Society of St Vincent de Paul this Christmas.

The charity is warning that calls for help this year will be at their highest level in its history.

National President Rose McGowan said the fact that the Society has received more calls for help nationally than at any other time in its history and is still managing to provide help is due to the dedication of its volunteers, staff and the Irish public.

She said: “We are once again appealing to the nation to help us assist the thousands of people who are struggling on i nadequate incomes.”

SVP found earlier this year that a significant proportion of Irish people are facing a multitude of financial pressures due to the pandemic, including loss of income, increased household expenditure on basics, erosion of savings to meet ordinary living expenses, falling behind on bills and being forced to cut back on essentials like food, heating and electricity.

A quarter of families have cut back on food and utilities due to the COVID-19 crisis and one tenth of renters are in arrears.

Ms McGowan said that since then the situation for those struggling financially has worsened with massive increases in energy costs and living expenses.

She said: “We are facing a perfect storm for families contending with a cost-of-living crisis on mu ltiple fronts.

“Energy prices are soaring, we are seeing rents rise well beyond what people can afford and increasing transport costs are also putt ing pressu re on low-income households.

Budget

“We are deeply concerned that during the coming months this crisis will come to a head as households are unable to find extra room in the budget for escalat ing energy costs.

“In “I th those circumstances i they will inevitably turn to SVP for help. “Need is the only criteria we apply when people seek our help.

“But to provide that help we need the generous support of the Irish public that we are seeking through this 2021 Annual Appeal.”

People can donate online at SVP.ie or by phone on 0818 176 176.

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ASSIST: Adam (5) and Emily (8) from Dublin help Rose McGowan launch the SVP Annual Appeal