SVP Vinnie Packs 'a life saver' for the homeless

Vinnie Pack - Image: SVP

Source: SVP

Winter is a desperate time for anyone living on the streets. According to the Office for National Statistics 726 homeless people died in 2018, with an average age of just 44. The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is tackling this crisis by producing thousands of packs of essential items for homeless people.

The SVP's Vinnie Packs are named after the Society's patron, St Vincent de Paul (24 April 1581 - 27 September 1660), who is known as the patron saint of charitable societies. The packs cost £3.50 to produce and contain a thermal hat, two pairs of thermal socks, thermal gloves, toothpaste, toothbrush, wet wipes, a pen, a Pavement magazine and an information sheet.

Everyone involved in the SVP Vinnie Packs project is a volunteer, and over 11,500 life-saving packs were produced this year, handing hope and dignity to those forced to sleep rough.

Vinnie Packs Co-ordinator and Holy Rood, Watford SVP member, Siobhan Garibaldi, said: "Our volunteers do a great job producing thousands of Vinnie Packs every year. Without them many people living on the streets would be without the most basic essentials - they are a life saver. Our fundraising activities are currently more limited due to the coronavirus restrictions, so if anyone can sponsor packs at a suggested donation of £3.50 per pack, it will make a huge difference to thousands of homeless people."

The Caritas Diocese of Westminster kindly provided an operations space free of charge, allowing volunteers to assemble the Vinnie Packs while observing social distancing. The packs are handed to anyone in need by SVP members, and a supply of Vinnie Packs is available to other organisations working with the homeless. The simple act of giving one of the Vinnie Packs to someone who is forced to sleep rough is vital because it might be the only human contact they have received in weeks.

With temperatures falling as the winter sets in, the urgency to help those living on the streets is rising. SVP CEO Elizabeth Palmer said: "The tremendous efforts of volunteers, members and staff make the SVP the great organisation it is. The Vinnie Packs project is just one of hundreds of initiatives we organise to help the most vulnerable members of our communities. I urge you to help us in any way you can to care and support people during this time of uncertainty and suffering."

The manner in which we treat the most vulnerable in our communities was not lost on the great South African statesman Nelson Mandela, who once said: "Freedom is meaningless if people cannot put food in their stomachs, if they can have no shelter."

To donate to SVP Vinnie Packs, please visit www.svp.org.uk/donate-now, or for more information telephone 020 7703 3030.