The Camberwell St Vincent de Paul Society Conference calls on you for your support once again this Christmas. While we assist neighbouring conferences with their work in inner city areas, funds which our parishioners provide are all devoted to those in need in Camberwell and East Hawthorn. Two large public housing complexes in the Auburn area claim much of our attention and resources.
Our mantra is a hand-up rather than a handout, and we often do support people over a rough time – and never hear from them again – but we do have some long-term clients whom we assist on a fairly regular basis, although we do caution them about the limits on what we can provide. On the other hand, we sometimes experience gratitude from previous clients who inform us that they no longer require assistance.
Our most expensive outlays are on families who have just moved into public or private rental and have literally nothing. One year we supplied five fridges, as well as furniture, bedding and household items to families and individuals in this situation. Recently we have provided a fridge, beds and furniture for a family who have moved into a private rental property after fleeing domestic violence.
This year we have assisted 81 families and individuals and provided over $6,000 in assistance.
Outlay on supermarket food vouchers has been our largest expense item in the past year, reflecting both need and cost of living increases. We are braced for a rise in requests for help with overdue utility bills, which we are no longer able to cover, and are able only to part-pay these accounts in order to avoid households’ gas and power supplies being cut off.
The conference is currently preparing our usual gifts of staple items and more festive fare, to be delivered in Vinnies bags and will also include supermarket vouchers to help up to 40 of our regular and more recent clients celebrate Christmas. This will require a substantial outlay, for which we would appreciate your support.
All donations to our Christmas Appeal are gratefully appreciated. To donate to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal, you may like to take a tag from the Advent Giving Tree or download the Appeal Donation Form, complete and follow the lodgement instructions or to learn more about the works of St Vincent de Paul visit the Vinnies website.
It’s your compassion and support that makes our work possible. Financial donations play a critical role in sustaining the Society. The annual Vinnies Winter and Christmas appeals are the primary local fundraising activity of our Conferences.
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.
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
Telephone: 03 9816 9291
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Tue - Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm