EDITORIAL: Demand on St Vincent de Paul in Offaly shows scale of cost of living crisis

AS Christmas approaches, St Vincent de Paul Mid-West, which includes Offaly and Tipperary, is currently receiving 250 – 300 requests for help every day.

Calls for help this year have significantly increased reflecting the cost of living crisis the attendance at the launch of the region's annual Christmas Appeal was told last week.

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

Launching this year’s SVP Annual Appeal entitled “Impossible Choices”, Ms Ryan, said that despite the additional cost-of-living support payments made by the Government, there are many people who are struggling to meet basic family expenses.

“Last year, there were a record-breaking 14,006 (Jan – Nov) requests for help received at regional offices. That figure looks likely to be exceeded this year, with 16,673 requests already received, a 19% increase on the same time in 2021. .

The cost-of-living measures such as the one-off Fuel Allowance, double social welfare, child benefit and state pension payments will help low-income households during what will be a very difficult winter, but these measures are only temporary.

Said Ms Ryan: “We are very worried that many of these families will continue to struggle into next year.

“In the coming months, the cost-of-living crisis will hit different households in different ways, particularly with the rising costs of food, energy and housing. Add in Christmas costs, and you can see how difficult life will be for those on fixed incomes, whether that income comes through the State or from low-paid employment.

“Those hardest hit will include one parent-families, low-income workers; households on fixed social welfare incomes; low-income households in rural areas; people with disabilities and their carers. They are all facing impossible choices this Christmas and into the new year. That is why we are seeking donations to help families pay for food, heat their homes and ensure their children get a decent Christmas.

People are being asked to please donate whatever they can spare at either a local collection, online or over the phone to help people who are struggling now and will continue to struggle through this winter and into the new year.”

Supporting the Mid-West Region in launching their appeal this year was Gary O Hanlon, Executive Chef of The Condor in Loury, France former Head Chef of Viewmount House, Co. Longford. winner of numerous prestigious Hospitality awards, who has appeared on many TV shows, including as a resident Chef on successful TV3 series The Restaurant.

At the launch he said that“financial pressure has to be the most gut wrenching and isolating feeling imaginable. Having to choose between feeding your children or heating a home is soul destroying but supporting SVP enables them to ease that burden for many families. “

To donate: Online: svp.ie and nominate your local area, By phone:  0818 176 176 (ROI) or 061 317327, By post: Society of St Vincent de Paul, Mid -West Regional Office, Ozanam House, Hartstonge Street, Limerick. V94 W2D3. Blue envelopes: Keep an eye out for special blue envelopes in newspapers, churches and delivered to homes throughout the country.

Among the supporters of this year’s SVP Annual Appeal are Brown Thomas and Arnotts with a range of activities in their stores, including proceeds from their Santa’s Grotto and tap-to-donate throughout their stores.

EUROSPAR will organise 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 Conferences.

Me2You Gift Cards have teamed up with SVP again to support their Gift of Choice Voucher Appeal. Vouchers for all ages can be bought on the SVP website and directed to those in need in your community.