The St Vincent de Paul Society’s (Vinnies) annual Christmas Appeal provides financial and material support for those in need, the jobless, the homeless and the disadvantaged in Melbourne and throughout the State.  With higher inflation impacting on the cost of essentials we are seeing many people seek our support.  Our support for the jobless, homeless and the needy remains an ongoing challenge.  The broader theme of the Christmas Vinnies appeal is ‘Hungry, Anxious and Desperate’.

The Deepdene/Balwyn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills/Wattle Park Conferences are involved in a range of outreach work, including home visits in the local parish areas and the suburbs of South Melbourne, North Melbourne and Collingwood (new area this year).  In addition, some members volunteer at Vinnies Stores in Hawthorn, East Kew and Mont Albert and provide support to the Vinnies soup vans.  We are seeing many people coming to SVDP for assistance.  For many, it is the first time they have sought help.  We expect that demand for our services will remain high and continue beyond the Christmas period, particularly in the current environment of rising inflation and increasing daily costs.  It is clear from the statistics set out below that the need for ongoing assistance is as strong as ever.

In the past 12 months our Conferences have provided assistance to individuals and families as follows:

This assistance has included supermarket gift vouchers, Vinnies store vouchers, paying pharmacy bills, utility bills, and providing essential whitegoods and furniture.  Most importantly, a key part of our work, which is often little recognised, is to lend a listening ear or provide a brief period of company.

The Founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Blessed Frederick Ozanam said “Yours must be the work of love, of kindness, you must give your time, your talents, yourselves. The poor person is a unique person of God’s fashioning with an inalienable right to respect.”

All donations to our Christmas Appeal are gratefully appreciated.  Please download the donation form for options available for making a donation and in particular the need to specifically make reference to your local conference number (Deepdene/Balwyn 404, Camberwell 401 or Surrey Hills/Wattle Park 393) in the comments box.

It’s your compassion and support that makes our work possible.  Financial donations play a critical role in sustaining the Society.  The annual Vinnies Winter and Christmas appeals are the primary local fundraising activity of our Conferences. 

Our Conferences are always looking for new members to assist in our work.  If you are interested in joining or finding out more about what we do please contact the Conference President(s) (details can be obtained from the Parish team).

Published: 15 December 2023