Quarter of calls to SVP for help were from ‘desperate’ first timers

Over one in four calls for help to the Society of St Vincent de Paul last year were from people who had not previously contacted the charity.

Caroline Fahey, SVP social policy development officer, said the new cries for help were mostly from people who had been struggling for some time to make ends meet, and had become desperate.

The general indication, said Ms Fahey, is that the 35% increase in 2011 in people seeking assistance from SVP is likely to be surpassed this year.