Cost of living crisis forcing families to turn to charities
Bishop Fleming said 2023 had been "a difficult year for very many people in our community"
Soaring interest rates and stubbornly high inflation have forced many families in North Mayo and West Sligo to seek assistance from the St Vincent de Paul in Ballina, according to the Bishop of Killala John Fleming.
In a letter read out at all masses in the diocese at the weekend, Bishop Fleming said 2023 had been "a difficult year for very many people in our community".
"Even though the employment rate as a whole has increased, we have seen an increase also in interest rates and high inflation. These factors have caused an increase in requests to the Society for counselling, fuel, rent arrears, household bills and educational costs. It means, therefore, that many people in our community are trapped in poverty for the foreseeable future, deprived of the right to live with dignity and hope."
Making his annual appeal for the St Vincent de Paul, Bishop Fleming quoted one volunteer from the charity who said: “You haven’t seen poverty until you see today’s children get excited over a basket of groceries."
Describing the volunteer's words as "stark", the bishop said the St Vincent de Paul in Ballina was coming under increasing strain.
"The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Ballina has seen an increase in people coming to them for assistance this year. Each week new cases from both town and rural areas present themselves in Teeling Street. Rents in the private sector remain very high, despite rent subsidies for those entitled to them. This leaves people struggling to meet the other household bills. Since Ballina is not a Rent Pressure Zone and with the removal of the eviction ban, some families are under enormous pressure to keep a roof over their heads.
"Fuel costs remain high and the fuel allowance, even for those entitled to it, now covers very little fuel on a weekly basis. Keeping warm over Christmas, in particular, is one of the greatest challenges for St Vincent de Paul. The increase in employment means that the so-called ‘ working poor’ find life in general, and keeping warm in particular, a real challenge."
"The Society are receiving an increasing number of calls from professionals e.g. social workers, public health nurses, teachers, guards and community welfare workers, requesting assistance for cases which they are dealing with and which they cannot help adequately. There is also an increase in the number of single males seeking help from them; very often as a result of mental health issues or problems with the various addictions.
Bishop Fleming said the Food Bank in Teeling Street, despite the other charities such as Food Cloud, now has to purchase a good lot of food, meaning increased costs to the Society.
"Thanks to all the generous donations of all sorts of items and to the hard work of a dedicated team of volunteers, the Vincent's shop in Teeling Street is doing very well. Goods donated for recycling also generate much needed funds.
"I would like to assure you that all cash donated at the office in Teeling St, funds collected at the Church Gate and profits from the Shop are spent helping clients in the Ballina, West Sligo and the North Mayo area. Finally, I appreciate greatly the generosity of all donors and I take this opportunity to thank you. I also encourage you, once more, to please help the Society of St Vincent de Paul Ballina this year as we begin our preparations for Christmas."
You can contact the Vincent de Paul in Ballina at 096-77875 or email vincents.ballina@svp.ie.
