This article is from page 51 of the 2010-01-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 51 JPG
THERE was an upsurge in demand for support from St Vincent De Paul in Shannon in the run-up to Christ- jet kce
50 families in Shannon and Sixmi- lebridge requested support from the voluntary organisation.
Oil, coal, toys and food were among the demands of the people of Shan- non, who found it difficult to cope. Some families did not have enough money to buy toys for their children for Christmas and sought help from St Vincent De Paul with this. The poor economic climate, allied to the inclement weather, was a major fac-
tor in the increase in demand.
Christmas hampers and_ super- market vouchers were distributed to families in need in the run-up to Christmas, as the organisation did what it could to ease the plight of the poor.
Secretary of St Vincent De Paul in Shannon, Bridget Kirby said a lot of people were in financial difficulty this year.
“We were out until late on Christ- mas Eve. We helped 50 families. There was a huge increase in de- mand this year. People didn’t have the double money (social welfare) and they were really stuck. A lot of people lost their jobs and they
didn’t have toys for the children,’ she said.
Some parents are finding things so tough that they don’t have the money to pay for their children’s examina- tions.
“Parents don’t have enough mon- ey for the Junior Certificate or the Leaving Certificate. Parents don’t have money. It’s sad. There is a lot of poverty,” she added.
She paid tribute to the people of Shannon, who donated generously to the annual collection.
Some businesses donated toys, while individuals also donated mon- ey. Golf societies around Shannon also contributed to the fund, while
St Caimin’s Community School and St Patrick’s Comprehensive School helped out.
‘They were so good this year. Peo- ple were very, very generous. It was the best year we ever had. A lot of people gave us children’s clothes and we delivered those. We got a personal donation of €2,000 from one man. He said he had too much and felt sad for people who don’t have enough. That was the kind of thing that people did,” she said.
After a tough few months, St Vin- cent De Paul 1s predicting that 2010 will be equally challenging.
“It will be very tough this year,” said Ms Kirby.