Media release 21 December 2009
St Vincent de Paul provides Christmas cheer in year of unprecedented demand The St Vincent de Paul Society and St Vincent de Paul Aged Care & Community Services are approaching Christmas knowing that Victorians in need have been under unprecedented stress. The 2008/09 financial year has seen: - an 8.4% increase in the dollar value of assistance given by St Vincent de Paul Society volunteers (in groups called conferences). The 2008/09 total was $8,936,329. - the number of meals provided by Society soup vans increased by 11.8% to 232,284. - a 14% increase in funds generated in Vinnies Centres for local welfare work. - a 60% increase in the number of people provided with assistance to find accommodation through our Aged Care & Community Services division. - a 67% increase in the number of women and children assisted to escape family violence through our Aged Care & Community Services division. Also, during this calendar year, unprecedented demand on our welfare line has seen a 13% increase in calls to 52,389. During the festive season, St Vincent de Paul Society and St Vincent de Paul Aged Care & Community Services provide Christmas cheer to people in need with special Christmas deliveries of food hampers and gifts right across the state as well as providing meals in our homeless services and this year, a special Christmas party in Buxton for bushfire affected families. St Vincent de Paul Society Victorian President, Jim Grealish, said “The demand on our services is increasing. We’ve had a 13% increase in calls to our welfare helpline this year and Christmas is a particularly difficult time for people who are already struggling to make ends meet. We’re asking Victorians to donate to our Christmas appeal, to help us to continue to provide this support. We’re currently about 15% down on donations to the appeal compared to last year so we’re making this appeal to the community to get behind us” he said. To donate to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal, call 131812 or visit www.vinnies.org.au PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Christmas day lunch for homeless people at Ozanam Community Centre. 25 December, 12-1.30pm at 268 Abbotsford Street, North Melbourne.
ENDS
For interviews with Jim Grealish or further information contact: Carol Taylor, General Manager: Fundraising, Marketing and Development St Vincent de Paul Society & St Vincent de Paul Aged Care & Community Services Victoria. Ph: 9895 5819 / 0437 197 760
Telephone: (03) 9895 5800 Email: info@svdp-vic.org.au Website: www.vinnies.org.au/vic Donation Hotline: 13 18 12