St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal 2025

When Christmas becomes a struggle:  Vinnies calls for hope amid rising costs

For millions of Australians, the festive season is shaping up to be the hardest time of the year, as cost-of-living pressures continue to bite. A new survey* commissioned by the St Vincent de Paul Society has revealed that three in five Australians find Christmas financially stressful, with younger generations and families with children under 18 among the most affected. Alarmingly, nearly half of families with children worry about being able to put food on the table this Christmas, while one in three Australians admit to skipping meals in the past year to afford essentials such as rent and electricity.

Mark Gaetani, National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society, said the findings reflect what volunteers and staff see daily: financial stress is not just a statistic but a lived reality. “Parents are skipping meals so their kids can eat, and many families face the sadness of not being able to share gifts or festive treats,” he explained. “This isn’t the Australia any of us wish for, where poverty becomes the new normal.”

The Society has now launched its annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal, urging those who can afford to give to help provide gifts, nutritious meals, and essential support for families facing a bleak holiday season. Every dollar raised, Gaetani emphasized, will go directly toward helping vulnerable households find hope and relief during what should be the happiest time of the year.

The impact of Vinnies’ work is felt not only nationally but also locally. The Deepdene Balwyn Conference provide weekly financial aid and companionship to those struggling with isolation and hardship. Volunteers assist in Vinnies shops and soup vans, ensuring donations translate into direct community support. Each conference operates independently, tailoring assistance to local needs and reporting back regularly to refine their efforts.

Every week, dedicated members of our parish’s St Vincent de Paul Society Conference provide essential financial aid to those struggling in North Melbourne, Collingwood, and nearby suburbs. They also offer caring companionship to people who are feeling isolated. Beyond home visits, our volunteers help out at Vinnies’ stores in Hawthorn and East Kew and assist with distributing meals through the Vinnies’ Soup Vans, making a direct impact on the well-being of our community.

The Society relies heavily on the generous support of our Parish community to carry out its important work. Our Christmas Appeal plays a key role in raising funds, with every donation directly helping those in need improve their living conditions.

The following example, drawn from Balwyn Deepdene home visitors’ written reports and edited to respect the privacy and dignity of those we serve, illustrates the kind of support offered by our parish’s St Vincent de Paul Society Conference.

B met us in the lobby. He has a diverse background, having previously owned a clothing company before experiencing significant personal and financial losses linked to gambling when the Casino opened. B also confided a history of drug abuse and time spent in prison. He reported that his criminal record has made it challenging to secure employment and stated he currently receives a job seeker or new start allowance, leaving him with $300 per week after rent.

B shared that his ex-wife and children reside in Sydney, where his daughter recently graduated as a medical doctor and is employed. We inquired if his daughter might be able to provide financial assistance, but he expressed reluctance to disclose his current situation to her. We encouraged him to consider reaching out for support.

We provided B with immediate financial assistance in the form of Coles vouchers.

Together, stories like B’s remind us that behind every statistic is a person striving to rebuild their life. The compassion and generosity of our parish community ensure that no one faces hardship alone, especially during the festive season. With continued support, the Vinnies Christmas Appeal can bring dignity, hope, and joy to families who need it most.

Our Conferences are always looking for new members to assist in our work.  If you are interested in joining or finding out more about our works, please contact the Conference President(s) via the Parish Office.

Once again, we thank our fellow parishioners for their prayers and generous support for our work throughout the year.

Donations may be made by using the links to the parish conferences below:

Balwyn Deepdene Conference

Camberwell Conference

Surrey Hills Wattle Park Conference

By:  Kate Baines

* Festive Season Survey prepared for St Vincent de Paul Society by YouGov. Online survey of nationally representative sample of 1,020 Australians aged 18 years and older, conducted 25-27 August 2025.

Image:  Vinnies.org.au

Source:  Vinnies.org.au and Vinnies Balwyn Deepdene Conference