Winding back of COVID supports means the Vinnies Christmas Appeal is needed more than ever

The need for the Vinnies Christmas Appeal is more pressing than ever this year as COVID support payments are being wound back, leaving many families behind.

“With the ending of lockdowns, I wish I could say it’s going to be a hopeful Christmas for everyone this year.

“But the reality is it won’t be and the need to give generously to our Christmas Appeal is greater than ever because people doing it tough this year have additional pressures as a result of the extended pandemic-related lockdowns.

“I encourage you to donate generously to our Christmas Appeal,” St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO, Jack de Groot, said.

“As we start to reopen, emergency COVID support payments have started being wound back.

“For people who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic and have been relying on those payments, their immediate futures are looking dim.

“Employment opportunities are typically pretty slim at this time of year and the reaching of vaccine thresholds has not simultaneously recreated all the jobs that were lost.

“This alone is placing a great deal of strain on many families.

“Many more families than usual are heading into the festive season behind the eight ball and, at Vinnies, we need your help to assist them,” Mr de Groot said.

“Throughout the COVID pandemic, we’ve noticed an interesting thing about the COVID support payments,” St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Vice President – Social Justice, Brooke Simmons, said.

“When JobSeeker was increased, raising more people above the poverty line, we saw fewer requests for help.

“Now that COVID payments are being wound back, we are expecting a significant increase in calls for assistance.

“The fact that this is happening just before Christmas, when demand for our services typically goes up, means we are now facing a deluge.

“Our members and services have worked throughout the pandemic to provide help to people who need it.

“At Christmas, we need your assistance more than ever, so that we can keep supplying food, clothes, accommodation, case work for homelessness and domestic violence, and more.

“Please give generously,” Ms Simmons said.

To donate to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal call go to vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones | 0417 446 430