The St Vincent de Paul Society has launched the 2025 Winter Appeal, with a goal to raise $250,000 to help vulnerable people survive the harsh conditions faced during a Tasmanian winter.
Each year, the requests for assistance by those experiencing hardship continues to increase as colder weather starts to bite, but the cost-of-living crisis has hit Tasmanians hard in more recent times.
Across the state, the impacts are more noticeable now than ever and our emergency relief program is also experiencing challenges as it seeks to respond to those in need.
“Right now, in Tasmania 5,069 people are on the waiting list for social housing, with 3,871 of these being homeless or temporarily housed,” St Vincent de Paul State President Corey McGrath said.
“Staggeringly, one in 86 Tasmanians are currently seeking assistance from homelessness. This is higher than any other Australian region.
“The St Vincent de Paul Society is doing everything it can to meet the demand we are experiencing, but we need crucial donations to continue our emergency support.
“Our Winter Appeal is a chance for Tasmanians to make a real difference by donating and changing someone's life.”
One person that has seen first-hand the demand the St Vincent de Paul Society is experiencing is Northern Regional President and Vincentian Member, Rosie Caelli.
“We have certainly seen an increase in demand, and as the cold begins, those experiencing homelessness struggle to keep warm, dry and safe” she said.
“For those in the rental market, high rents are pushing people’s budget to the limit, and the prices of utilities like power are making it even harder.
“People often think that those coming to Vinnies for help are outside of the workforce, but we are seeing a lot of people who are employed but still don’t have enough to go around.
“Families on a single income are finding it hard to keep their payments up to date, and this often comes at the cost of maintaining health and wellbeing - doctor’s appointments and dental checks are missed and if there's a need for medications or procedures, there's simply nothing left to pay for these basic elements.
"The impact on individuals and families across Tasmania is extreme – it creates pressures for physical wellbeing, but the mental health challenges from stress and anxiety are growing at a rapid rate too.”
All donations to the Winter Appeal remain in Tasmania and go directly to providing emergency food hampers and food vouchers, financial assistance with mounting and escalating bills, funding for prescriptions for vital medication, and blankets and clothing to keep people warm and cosy during winter.
“We urge the community to come together to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Every donation makes a difference by helping Tasmanians in unimaginable distress,” Mr McGrath said.
“Your donation can help someone pay their rent and stay off the streets. Your donation could stop a family going to bed hungry. Your donation can keep someone warm during Tasmania’s freezing winter nights.”
You can donate to the Winter Appeal online through the Vinnies website (https://www.vinnies.org.au/tas), by phoning 13 18 12, or by dropping into any Vinnies retail store or hub across Tasmania.
