Peak of requests for social and economic relief: SVP calls for support in current social crisis

Alarming data are coming from the last reports released by the CSO: 96% of Irish population is concerned about the cost of living, with a 54% of households with children cutting on food supplies. The statistics show a social situation that is strongly affecting people and their lives.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) is currently raising awareness towards these circumstances through the Annual appeal “Impossible Choices”. Following the increased requests of help received by the association, they invite the community to donate and support people in need.

SVP, international charitable organisation, has launched its initiative “Impossible Choices”, supported by Arnotts and Brown-Thomas. It includes numerous activities aiming to include more people into the support of the less fortunate.
The significant of the proposal can be found in the difficult decisions many had to face in last few months: “It’s incredible the number of people who ring who want to put their children first, and make sure that children have food […], schoolbooks, […] clothes because families do not want their children to be different” reports Jim Walsh, Communication Executive with SVP Ireland.
The organisation reports 1,200 requests of help per day in November, with an increment of 20% compared to 2021: the total amount could reach the peak of 220.000 demands before the end of the year, claims Walsh.
SVP underlines how the once-off payments provided by the Government are a step forward, however not enough in view of data coming from the CSO. The standard of living of Irish households is, in fact, decreased, with 7,4% unable to keep the house warm and 1,1% incapable of a full meal every second day.
This worrying condition is affecting primarily population at higher social risk, such as single parents and disabled people, but not only: low-income workers and renters are going to face more often the increase of prices and inflation.
“Most people come in Saint Vincent De Paul are in those situations not through their own fault”, claims Walsh, “a lot of people think Saint Vincent de Paul is only for the real […] poor, and they don’t maybe identify themselves as the real poor”.
In this context, visitations are what is making the difference with SVP: this kind of interaction allows the community to trust SVP, engaging in a support beyond the economic one. Often “volunteers […] get called from people just to have somebody to visit them”, report Walsh.
In total, SVP provided support to over 191.000 households seeking for help in 2021, with an investment of over 80 million euros between visitations, charity shops and service provisions.
Discussing the services provided, Walsh emphasises the relevance of education in the fight against long-term poverty and the reach of self-sufficiency. SVP underlines the importance of young population and its inclusion, providing school loans and promoting meetings in schools, with increased mediatic resonance.
In the meanwhile, SVP continues promoting fund-raising initiatives to support the community: the Empty Plate Appeal, organised nationwide with EUROSPAR, and the Me2You Gift Cards are two of the main projects along with “Impossible Choices”.
As Walsh reports, “need is the only criteria” when it comes to help someone looking for support and SVP is making sure everyone is able to the dignified life they deserve.