SOCIETY of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) volunteers will make around 150,000 calls to struggling homes all over Ireland between now and Christmas.Last Monday, helped by RTÉ broadcaster Ryan Tubridy, the society launched an urgent appeal for donations to provide help to the burgeoning numbers of people in severe financial difficulties.
Last year, SVP spent €75 million on people experiencing poverty and exclusion, compared with €66.6m the previous year.
The appeal campaign will continue through next month, with December 4-11 nominated SVP Week when church gate collections will be held.
SVP national president Máiréad Bushnell said she had never before felt the palpable worry and uncertainty their 10,000-plus volunteers are experiencing through the country.
For so many people it was now a question of constantly having to make choices, she said.
"And when it comes to Christmas and the winter months, the decisions become even harder."
Ms Bushnell said the volunteers who make home visits give support to individuals and families in a variety of ways. "In some cases it will just be a comforting shoulder to lean on or advice on where to go for professional help with a specific problem.
"In many cases it will be to ensure that children have a toy from Santa or that the families have sufficient food, heat and light to get over the festive season," she said.
Ms Bushnell said support and friendship were key elements of SVP’s work.
"We encounter many problems caused by loneliness and isolation, both in rural and urban areas. Loneliness is a hidden, silent poverty," she said.
Ms Bushnell said Irish people were generous in spirit with any scarce resources they had.
"Those of use who can provide resources, whether through giving our time or some portion of our discretionary income, have a duty to try and support the weakest and most vulnerable who are in need of our material or emotional support," she said.
As well as providing direct assistance for families, the SVP also provides a range of essential services.
The society manages 970 social housing units, has 344 emergency beds per night available for the homeless, operates 15 day care centres, 150 shops and many breakfast, homework and revision clubs.
* www.svp.ie
Last year, SVP spent €75 million on people experiencing poverty and exclusion, compared with €66.6m the previous year.
The appeal campaign will continue through next month, with December 4-11 nominated SVP Week when church gate collections will be held.
SVP national president Máiréad Bushnell said she had never before felt the palpable worry and uncertainty their 10,000-plus volunteers are experiencing through the country.
For so many people it was now a question of constantly having to make choices, she said.
"And when it comes to Christmas and the winter months, the decisions become even harder."
Ms Bushnell said the volunteers who make home visits give support to individuals and families in a variety of ways. "In some cases it will just be a comforting shoulder to lean on or advice on where to go for professional help with a specific problem.
"In many cases it will be to ensure that children have a toy from Santa or that the families have sufficient food, heat and light to get over the festive season," she said.
Ms Bushnell said support and friendship were key elements of SVP’s work.
"We encounter many problems caused by loneliness and isolation, both in rural and urban areas. Loneliness is a hidden, silent poverty," she said.
Ms Bushnell said Irish people were generous in spirit with any scarce resources they had.
"Those of use who can provide resources, whether through giving our time or some portion of our discretionary income, have a duty to try and support the weakest and most vulnerable who are in need of our material or emotional support," she said.
As well as providing direct assistance for families, the SVP also provides a range of essential services.
The society manages 970 social housing units, has 344 emergency beds per night available for the homeless, operates 15 day care centres, 150 shops and many breakfast, homework and revision clubs.
* www.svp.ie