SVP/charity help?

Sine Spe

I need some advice. Lost my job last year, been really struggling since. Have finally sorted debt with the banks and MABS and come July we should be able to manage again, albeit quite frugally with some stiff sacrifices (down to 1 car, selling jewelry etc etc), but in the meantime, I'm not sure how to feed my kids. Payday is June 1st and I have 100 euro and that's only because I withdrew it from the bank before direct debits could come through. I'm a good and generally inventive cook, but that budget is pushing it for 5 people for 3 weeks.

Someone mentioned St. Vincent De Paul the other day and said that they give vouchers for supermarkets. To look at us one would think we're normal middle class, indeed we were donating to SVP a little over 8 months ago so I guess I'm not sure they'd want or be able to help. I don't want money I just want to be able to feed the kids for the next three weeks. I'd be more than happy to volunteer my time or skills in return and hopefully one day when things turn around be able to pay them back in a more tangible manner.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this or if there are other organisations out there that might be able to help us in the short term?

Thank you.

Stheno

Hi OP

My mother has volunteered with SVdP for years, and they do help out with short term expenses such as food/bills etc.

In the old days people used write in to their local conference, but if you check their website there are different ways to contact them also via phone or email.

I imagine that if you sent them a mail via their contact page or phoned their Dublin office they would be able to advise you.

Best of luck!

Joey the lips

Hi OP. i am a member of SVP and I do house visits like you describe above. I will advise you to a limited capacity if you PM me however I would suggest you contact your local branch or conference as its called.

Your attitude towards the organisation is the attitude within the organisation. It is not a long term support network but a helping hand. Your not required to volenteer because the conference helps you the only requirement on people is good faith.

glennhysen

Hi, I'm also a member of SVP and I just want to agree with what the others said. Helping you for a short term would be the ideal situation for the SVP. In my conference we visit people for three weeks and then leave them alone to see if they manage. However if they need more help we will go back and reassess the situation. We help people by giving them gift cards for the local Tesco.

Please contact the SVP Headoffice at 8550022 and once you give them your address they will contact your local SVP conference who will come out to meet you. Normally most conferences meet and visit once a week.

If you have any other questions please PM me.

Sine Spe

Thank you so much for the kind advice.

There's a local number in our parish bulletin, I'll give them a ring now.

Appreciate it!