SVP volunteers collecting this weekend

This weekend is the most important of the year for Saint Vincent de Paul.

The charity's Christmas Appeal is underway and as part of that, it will be collecting at church gates this weekend.

The year 2022 has been one of the busiest in the history of SVP as more and more families locally and around the country seek help due to rises in the cost of living over the past 18 months.

Michael Donohoe, president of the Mullingar conference of St Vincent de Paul, told the Westmeath Examiner earlier this year that many families are struggling to survive and are having to choose between buying food or fuel.

In the run-up to Christmas, the conference members are working closely with the Mullingar Lions Club, which is holding its annual food collection this weekend, to ensure that as many local families as possible will be helped.

However, the work of SVP is not confined to Christmas. They help those who have fallen behind in their rent or electricity payments. Some are living in apartments where their only source of heat is electricity. Others are behind on their rent and many are having to choose between buying fuel or food or paying the rent.

In a statement released this week, St Vincent de Paul paid tribute to the people of Westmeath.

“We are extremely grateful for your support in the past and we are relying more than ever on your support his year as we head into a winter of spiralling costs of household necessities and all forms of fuel.

“We are fearful many families and individuals will have a difficulty in balancing keeping their homes warm and having enough food on the table during the coming months.

“Coming up to Christmas this year you may receive our SVP appeal letter in an envelope, delivered by An Post or enclosed in some of the national or local newspapers. Please read and note the various ways in which you can donate if you wish.”