Calls for help to St Vincent de Paul Midwest are significantly increasing

St Vincent de Paul Midwest – Attending the launch of the SVP Mid-West Regional Annual Appeal were from Gerry Buckley, Area Secretary, Tom O’Donovan, Area Treasurer, Teresa Ryan, Regional President, guest speaker John Kiely, Manager Limerick Senior Hurlers who launched the appeal and Nora Farragher, Area President, West Limerick. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22

Calls for help to St Vincent de Paul Midwest are significantly increasing

In launching the Midwest Regional Annual Appeal, the Society of St Vincent de Paul Midwest said that calls for help this year have significantly increased. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22

In launching the Midwest Regional Annual Appeal today, the Society of St Vincent de Paul Midwest said that calls for help this year have significantly increased. On average the St Vincent de Paul Midwest office is dealing with between 200 – 250 requests per day.

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Regional President Teresa Ryan said the fact that the Society has received more calls for help than at any other time and still manages to provide help is testimony to the dedication of its volunteers and staff and the incredible support of the public.

Teresa highlighted that “we are seeing a lot of people getting in touch who have never needed to before, people whose circumstances have changed dramatically due to Covid . We here in SVP have adapted to a new way of doing things and are ensuring that we are getting to people who need help.

“We are once again appealing to the Public to help us assist the thousands of people who are struggling on inadequate incomes,” she said.

The SVP Annual Appeal theme ‘Impossible Choices’ has been chosen to reflect what those struggling financially face every day.

Earlier this year SVP commissioned a RED C Poll to ascertain the financial impact of Covid. It found that a significant proportion of Irish society are facing a multitude of financial pressures due to the pandemic. These include 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. One-in-four people reported cutting back on food and utilities due to the pandemic, and almost one-in-ten tenants reported falling behind on their rent.

Teresa Ryan said that since then the situation for those struggling financially has worsened with massive increases in energy costs, living expenses and with prices soaring in all bills well beyond what people can afford and that this is putting pressure on low-income households.

“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 the escalating energy costs.

“In those circumstances 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 public that we are seeking through this 2021 St Vincent de Paul Midwest Regional Annual Appeal.

A special word of acknowledgement was also noted to the Local SVP volunteers who quietly and with a sympathetic ear will work tirelessly this Christmas and indeed throughout the year to support the most vulnerable in our society in the Midwest Region

John Kiely Limerick Senior Hurling Manager Officially launched the St Vincent de Paul Midwest Regional Annual Appeal in his address he says “I am very honoured to launch this year’s 2021 Mid-West Regional Annual Appeal.  When people have exhausted all other support in their own circle they are faced with the “Impossible Choice” of seeking help or risk hunger or homelessness.  

Surely the greatest gift we can give this year is to help those in need by supporting those who can meet that need!  Saint Vincent De Paul has an incredible team of volunteers ready to meet that need.  Let’s get out there and support team SVP for Christmas! 

“We are appealing for donations to be made locally, online or over the phone that will help people through this winter and into the new year.”

Finally, anyone finding themselves in need this Christmas, especially anyone seeking assistance for the first time should phone 061 317327 to have their request processed comfortably in the knowledge that their request will be handled sensitively and confidentially.

 Ways to donate:

• Online: svp.ie and nominate Mid West
• By phone:  0818 176 176 (ROI) and Nominate MidWest
• By Phone: Direct Line 061 317327 Regional Office
• By post:to SVP, Mid-West Regional Office, Hartstonge Street, Limerick.
• Blue envelopes: Keep an eye out for special blue envelopes that will be in newspapers, churches and delivered to homes throughout the country.
• This year’s SVP annual appeal is supported by Brown Thomas and Arnotts with a range of activities in their stores.
• Smurfit Kappa have kindly supported the ‘Empty Toy Box Appeal’ which will be on sale in Vincent’s shops in December. For every empty toy box bought a donation of €5 will go towards ensuring a child will have what they need this Christmas.
• EUROSPAR will be running an ‘Empty Plate Appeal’ in their stores nationwide, asking customers to donate physical food items into a basket. These will then be converted into EUROSPAR vouchers and donated to the local SVP Conference.
• Me2You Gift cards have teamed up with SVP again to support their Virtual Toy Appeal. Vouchers for all ages can be bought HERE and directed to those in need in your community.
• There will also be extensive promotion through all communications and media channels.

For more information on SVP go HERE 

For more stories on SVP go HERE

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