Poverty Bites At Christmas
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday November 11, 2006
AFTER an extra tough year for those in need, Wollongong Bishop Peter Ingham has urged the Illawarra to get behind this year's St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Appeal.
The society especially needs cash donations, as well as clean clothes, non-perishable food and quality toys for Christmas hampers.The bishop launched the appeal in Wollongong yesterday at a breakfast for 150 guests.The society's state vice-president, Bev Kerr, said the appeal also raised awareness of the Illawarra's needy."It's been a really hard year, we're finding, more so than last year," she said."I don't know if it's that people aren't managing their mortgages, or increases in petrol, or what?"The aim this Christmas was to bring hope, comfort and joy to those struggling, many of them families.Thousands of hampers are distributed each year in the Wollongong Diocese, from Thirroul to Kiama. Last year, the society spent $60,000 on 940 hampers, in addition to donated hampers.Mrs Kerr stressed the society spent only 8? in every dollar raised on administration.This year, the aim was to raise money for clothing, furniture, food and gift vouchers, and to contribute to water and electricity bills.
© 2006 Illawarra Mercury
