Food charities say they have seen a big increase in people needing food parcels. One says people even fight for food outside community pantries. National poverty critical St Vincent de Paul’s Hamilton manager, Mike Rolton (pictured), says New Zealand is currently experiencing poverty on a level unknown in modern times. “Six years ago we gave Read more
One year after the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle, St Vincent de Paul continues its recovery support in Wairoa. A pivotal visit by St Vincent de Paul Napier council member Dan Sussmilch helped the organisation develop a multifaceted strategy to offer immediate relief and assist in facilitating the community’s long-term rehabilitation. As part of its community involvement Read more
A beacon of hope, Healthy homes, shines for Waikato families grappling with the escalating cost of living. The groundbreaking move is an initiative of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, affectionately known as Vinnies. The innovative initiative programme promises to arm residents with strategies to save approximately $1000 annually on power bills. Healthy Homes Read more
When Gabrielle Carman was invited to a friend’s place for lunch last week she had no idea it was a setup. Her host said he would invite some other people, but when Carman got there she was surprised to find out just how many other people there were, she said. Most of them from Vincent Read more
Tara’s Catholic community is working day and night to support survivors of the district’s latest bushfire. Last week’s out-of-control fire in regional Queensland burnt tens of thousands of hectares. It claimed two lives. Dozens of properties were destroyed. People – families – have nothing left. Zilch. Tara’s Parish priest Fr Jack MacGinley, who stuck to Read more
Amid Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastating impact, a group of young volunteers emerged as unsung heroes. Without the help of young people, St Vincent de Paul Napier would not have been able to respond so positively, reports the Catholic charity in its most recent national newsletter. While the media focus has moved on, Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastation continues Read more
Invercargill’s Vinnies shop has been given a big kick in the teeth from thieves stealing from people in need. The metal bar the thieves used to break into the Catholic charity’s North Rd store caused thousands of dollars of damage. Then they stole money, food, the roller door remote – and the Vinnies van. The Read more
Food has become a discretionary item in many people’s budgets. Its low priority is just one of the changes Delphina Soti, General Manager of the St Vincent de Paul food Hub in Auckland is seeing. Covid has a long tail and there are many layers of need in the community, she says. “There’s a lot Read more
Staff at the St Vincent de Paul foodbank were left with the unusual sensation of wondering where to start putting things after a truck loaded to the brim with food arrived at the centre yesterday. Centre and pastoral co-ordinator Sarah Strang said the Dunedin City Council had done a collection around all its staff and Read more
The Parish Priest of the Palmerston North Cathedral, Fr Joe Grayland, is thanking the local people and businesses for replacing many of the donated Christmas goods and much of the food, stolen over the weekend. “Their generosity has been outstanding, and it restores my faith in human nature”, he says. “They will literally help make Read more