People struggling to buy food amid rising rents and energy bills, SVP says 

People 'were terrified of losing their home or apartment' this year, says SVP national president Rose McGowan. File Picture.

People struggling to afford food after paying "skyrocketing" rent and energy bills is a central reason why the Society of St Vincent de Paul is looking at its highest ever number of calls this year.

Launching the annual SVP Christmas Appeal, the organisation's national president Rose McGowan said that the number of calls fielded by staff this year could reach almost 200,000.