The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is gearing up for an avalanche of calls for assistance in the coming weeks.
Speaking at the launch of its Annual Appeal today the SVP national president, Mairead Bushnell said that they expected in the region of 100,000 calls for assistance in the run-up to Christmas this year.
Additional people are being recruited to take telephone calls at regional offices and the Society is appealing for financial support from individuals and organisations.
“We estimate that about 100,000 calls will be received by our regional offices and local Conferences in the next four weeks”, said Mairead Bushnell. “This is based on the fact that in 2008 we had in the region of 80,000 calls for assistance in the same period. This year we are already experiencing an increased demand for help, up almost 30% in some parts of the country, with one in four calls from people new to the Society. With the withdrawal of the Christmas Bonus many families already struggling will be under extreme pressure in the coming weeks.
“We are also fearful that the forthcoming budget will add to the difficulties being experienced by the most vulnerable in our society and are appealing to the Irish people to support our work”.
Ms Bushnell said that the services provided by the SVP cost over €1m per week with €27m spent on direct assistance to individuals and families. Of this the SVP provide €9.4m on direct financial support, €6.1m on food, €3.8m on education support and €3.8m on helping people with their energy bills.
The SVP is embarking on an intense advertising campaign in the coming weeks. The theme of the campaign is reaching out. The advertisement reflects on how it is possible to help the people who are most in need in the community through a donation to the SVP.
A key focus of the Annual Appeal is SVP Week from 6th-13th December which will culminate with a National Church Gate Collection.
Another major initiative is the SVP Giving Tree campaign which is a big success in companies, homes and stores throughout the country. The Giving Tree campaign asks people to buy a gift for someone who may not get one otherwise this Christmas, to be distributed by SVP volunteers. Giving Trees will be positioned in all cinemas showing ‘A Christmas Carol’ throughout Ireland. National Irish Bank staff across the country are taking up the Giving Tree and buying gifts for those who need it most. SVP is National Irish Bank’s Charity Partner in 2009.
Many other organisations are providing support on a national level including Byrne’s World of Wonder toy stores, the pregnancy and parenting resource website Eumom.ie, Pfizer Healthcare Ireland and ESB Customer Supply.
Contributions to the SVP Annual Appeal can be made by calling 01 8386990
or one of the Regional Offices. Or log on to www.svp.ie and click on “Donate Now”
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the largest, voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland. Its membership of 9,500 volunteers throughout the country is supported by professional staff working for social justice and the creation of a more just and caring nation.
This unique network provides practical support to those experiencing poverty and social exclusion by providing a wide range of services to people in need.
The volunteers working throughout almost 1,200 Conferences, the basic unit of SVP, are involved in visitations to homes, hospitals and prisons and helping in projects managed by the SVP including; shops (over 100 throughout Ireland), Hostels for the Homeless, Social Housing Projects, Resource Centres, Holiday Homes, Youth Clubs, Pre-school crèches and the Dublin Seaman’s Club.