Charity urges people to give
WITH CHRISTMAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER SLIGO SOCIAL SERVICES APPEALS FOR DONATIONS TO HELP THOSE IN NEED
WITH Christmas fast approaching, it is sometimes easy to forget that not everyone will be having as happy a Christmas as some this year. Homelessness is a widespread issue rife throughout Ireland and unfortunately it is only a growing problem.
Most recent figures show there are currently 8,419 homeless people in Ireland. Of this, 5,298 are adults and 3,194 children. The total number of people now experiencing homelessness has risen by an overwhelming 24% between October 2016 and October 2017 (figures from Focus Ireland).
Sligo is no exception to this crisis as local charity Sligo Social Services know only too well.
Charity spokesman Finbarr Sweeney said: “Homelessness is a problem that is increasing drastically nationwide and in Sligo. It is down to the availability or lack thereof of affordable and liveable housing. We know that homelessness is a problem for many individuals but it is alarming to see how many families with children are finding themselves in this position.”
Mr Sweeney gave the example that on one particular night, he had seven families at their emergency accommodation who had just recently become homeless.
As Christmas is a time of giving, Mr Sweeny shared some ways that the public can help the Sligo Social Services this holiday period.
More traditional donations of money, clothing and household items are always welcome. Financial donations are also welcome as they help to fund the work the Sligo Social Services do within the community.
Mr Sweeney said that food donations are also encouraged. He made the suggestion that if people were having Christmas parties catered, any spare food would be gladly welcomed.
In relation to children he said: “If toys were in very good condition we would encourage people to donate them.”
Perhaps, most importantly, Mr Sweeny urged: “The charity is always in need of volunteers all year round, not just at Christmas. We can use help at our Maryville Emergency Hostel especially. Homelessness is a complex and difficult issue and it can happen to anyone. Once you are in the situation, it is difficult to get out of it.”
Sligo Social Services will also be hosting a number of events and fundraisers over the Christmas period, including carol singing in Johnston’s Court.
2017 was another busy year for the charity with some new initiatives getting under way such as The Befriending Service which reaches out to older people in the community who may be feeling lonely and isolated.
The Support & Resettlement Service has helped Syrian Refugees to settle in Sligo.
Finbarr said: “Once again the services gets ready to do that little bit more at this time of year. The childcare services are getting the children ready to welcome Santa; the housing services are making sure that extra goodies are there to make this a special time for those who do not have a home this Christmas; the Meals on Wheels services are ordering in all the ingredients for a Christmas dinner, and the organisation just making sure that anyone in the community who needs our help at this time of year will get it.”
While there can be no denying that over the years Christmas has become commercialised, with a lot of emphasis on material goods, year after year the people of Sligo show that the real meaning of Christmas, reaching out to others and welcoming the stranger, is still alive in our community.
Whether it’s the many volunteers who give so generously of their time, ensuring that services continue to be available right throughout the days of Christmas; the local schools who organise collections of food and money; the carol singers who entertain the shoppers who in turn drop their coins (or sometimes notes!) into the collection boxes; the staff from local workplaces who make donations; the congregations from the local churches who organise collections; or the countless individuals who quietly make Christmas donations to the organisation.
Finbarr concluded: “It’s the generosity of the people of Sligo that keep the real meaning of Christmas alive.
“And only for them Sligo Social Services can do so much for others at this time of year. It would simply not be possible were it not for the generosity of the people in this community and so we thank you one and all. What we do to help others is largely down to you.”