St Vincent de Paul in Edenderry to hold annual collection and Christmas appeal
On the weekend of December 13 and 14, St Vincent de Paul (SVP) will be holding its annual church gate collection and Christmas appeal.
The local branch serves clients in the Edenderry, Rhode, Clonbullogue and Croghan area and depends on donations from the locality in order to provide that support.
"If you are in a position to donate, we would greatly appreciate it," it said.
SVP in Edenderry supplied this summary of the work it carries out:
"The St Vincent de Paul has been active in the Edenderry area since 1927 - nearly 100 years. Edenderry has changed a lot over that time, but our aim to serve those in need regardless of creed, ethnicity, social background, health, gender, or political opinion remains constant.
"For someone living in poverty their options are limited, which can feel stifling. That lack of choice can include seemingly small things, such as not being able to afford the larger box of washing powder, even though it may be cheaper in the longrun. So, people in poverty are penalised every time they shop because of their limited income.
"It means not being able to choose to replace a 10-year-old washing machine that’s on its last legs during Black Friday / January sales. It means having to wait until it finally breaks down, when there are no sales.
"While those might seem like small hurdles, every time someone has to get over one of them it’s draining. Over time, their accumulation can seem insurmountable.
"At SVP we want to help people over those hurdles, so that the next time they can feel like they have the ability to face it themselves. We want to empower people to become self-sufficient.
"This year we have sat in many kitchens with clients where options seemed limited. Due to increased rent or mortgage repayments, high energy bills or reduced income, families faced eviction or mounting arrears. In situations where that is compounded by illness, or language and information barriers, it can feel especially isolating. It’s in those instances where SVP try our hardest to offer some hope.
"Very often the cause of the problem is short-term and, if SVP can provide the right help early enough, we can prevent the problem from deteriorating.
"Thanks to the generosity of the people in Edenderry, Rhode, Clonbullogue and Croghan through donations and the SVP shop, in 2024 SVP were able to provide over €90,000 in assistance to clients in Edenderry and the surrounding area, and we are on course to do similar in 2025.
"Of that, over €36,000 was used specifically for education, as we strongly believe that education is the best tool to help people out of long-term poverty and give them options to build their future.
"On the weekend of December 13 and 14, SVP will be holding our annual church gate collection and Christmas appeal. If you are in a position to donate, we would greatly appreciate it."