No one should have to choose between giving their loved ones a Christmas present or putting food on the table, but unfortunately, this year, that will be the reality for thousands of people across Ireland. With your help, I want to ease the burden on vulnerable families by raising funds for The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) to help provide food vouchers to those who need it most during the festive period so they don’t have to face this impossible decision.

Everyone has felt the impact of the cost of living crisis this year, but the rising costs of food, energy and housing will impact some a lot harder than others. The extra costs associated with the Christmas period will add so much stress and worry to so many, the hardest hit including one parent-families, low-income workers; households on fixed social welfare incomes; low-income households in rural areas; people with disabilities and their carers.

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) is currently receiving a staggering average of 150 requests for help every hour. Figures collected at the end of October 2022 showed they had already received 168,00 requests in Ireland in 2022- that is a 19% increase on the same time last year!

In 2021, it was estimated that 450,000 people were experiencing food poverty, and in the past year, 1 in 3 of the requests for help SVP received were related to food poverty. So, the more we can raise- the more households SVP can provide with food vouchers, so they don’t have to face the impossible decision between food and other expenses.

All of the donations made to this fundraiser will be ring-fenced for food vouchers, and with your support, we have the potential to help hundreds of families who are struggling right now. We have the chance to help these people not to have to make the impossible choice between food, heat and other family expenses this Christmas so please donate, share and support as much as you can!

Thank you all so much for your support