Ballina SVP issues annual Christmas appeal as requests for their assistance skyrocket
St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Ballina has seen an increase in requests for assistance with rent arrears, counselling, fuel, car repairs, household bills and education costs.
The Catholic Church's Apostolic Administrator of Killala Diocese has urged people to generously support Ballina St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in its upcoming Christmas Appeal,
The local SVP branch has said that 2025 has been a long and difficult year for many in the community and it has seen year-on-year increases in requests for assistance with counselling, fuel, rent arrears, car repairs, household bills and education costs.
In a letter to the parishes of the diocese, Archbishop Francis Duffy, who also serves as Archbishop of Tuam, called for further support of Ballina SVP’s appeal.
“Every euro given becomes a sign of hope. It is more than just financial aid, it is a gesture of solidarity and Christian love.
“I ask you to give as generously as you can afford, to pray for the work of the SVP and to consider how you might serve the poor in other ways besides."
Ballina SVP said its food bank still form the basis of assistance for many families and it is regularly assisting 50 to 60 families per week in the winter months. Many families now depend on SVP for most of their weekly food. Food and charity programmes help SVP meet this demand but the amount they are receiving from the Government and other sources is continuing to decrease, forcing the charity to purchase meat, fruit and other products locally.
The organisation said it has seen a significant increase in requests related to mental health for people of all ages and that pressure to pay for rent, electricity and other essential household expenses means many families are unable to afford the ongoing cost of therapy.
The charity noted that for those who are working and on a low income, rent costs are still a major problem despite a nationwide rent pressure zone coming into effect earlier this year. Fuel costs are also an issue with many families on low to middle incomes struggling to heat their homes as they are not entitled to the state fuel allowance.
There has also been a year-on-year increase in requests for help with electricity, and families are going into arrears with energy bills to pay for rent, leaving them very vulnerable to disconnections during the cold winter months.
The SVP is also providing financial support to between 60 to 70 third-level students, many of whom face the prospect of having to drop out or defer their courses due to increasing financial strains relating to accommodation and the cost of living.
SVP Ballina said that healthcare is also a financial burden for some families, with many people now having to choose between basic medical and dental care and other vital day-to-day needs.
The charity appreciates all donations and is aware that its donors are also feeling the pressure of rising costs.
SVP Ballina will hold church gate collections on Saturday and Sunday next, November 1 and 2, at St Patrick’s and St Muredach’s Churches in Ballina. Collections at Enniscrone, Easkey, Kilglass, Castleconner and Rathlee will be on November 15 and 16 while Killala, Cooneal, Kilfian and Lacken collections will be on November 29 and 30.
Donations can also be made in the SVP office on Teeling Street in Ballina, telephone 096-72905.
