Restore hope to households through the Vinnies Christmas Appeal

More people are turning to charities for the first time as the ongoing cost of living crisis continues to take a toll on communities.

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has today launched its annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal to assist people experiencing hardship, with funds raised providing relief with food, clothing, household bills and accommodation.

People seeking assistance for the first time from the Society has increased from one-in-four to one-in-three over the past year.

Data recorded by the Society reveals four-in-five people requested support with food, while close to half were facing housing stress.

“Our members supported more than 87,000 people over the past year, an 18% increase from 12 months earlier,” said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO.

“We have noticed a concerning trend among the increasing number of people seeking assistance in that they are people who we would broadly consider to have security in their quality of living.

“We are seeing people in full-time employment and households on dual incomes turn to our members for assistance because of financial pressures from essentials that they cannot do without.

“People cannot cut back on having a roof over their head, feeding their children or paying for utilities. We are seeing instances where, to be able to cover an increase in rent, families are turning to the Society in order to put food on the table,” said Ms Saiz.

Funds raised from the Vinnies Christmas Appeal will enable St Vincent de Paul Society NSW members to distribute food hampers, financial and material relief to struggling households over Christmas and into the new year.

“The Christmas season should be a time of joy for all. With ongoing cost of living pressures, it will be a time of great uncertainty for those on the margins,” said Paul Burton, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State Council President.

“We, as a Society, understand that everyone is being impacted by the rising cost of living to some extent, but those already struggling, whilst also having the least capacity to withstand the increases, are once again being the worst affected.

“Our members located throughout the state will need all the support available to meet the need in the community which will increase over the coming months”.

“You can assist by extending hope and increased certainty by donating to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal,” said Mr Burton.

To donate to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal, visit www.vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.