Vinnies calls on Tasmanians to give as cost of living keeps pressure on families this Christmas

The St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania has launched its 2026 Christmas Appeal, warning that ongoing cost-of-living pressures are expected to keep driving demand for emergency relief across the state this festive season.

St Vincent de Paul Society of Tasmania Southern Regional President Louise Wilson said she is seeing a growing number of people return to its Emergency Relief services after a long time away.

“I am noticing people that haven’t needed to come to us for a number of years are coming back,” she said.

“Their money just isn’t going as far as it used to, and financially they can’t make it anymore due to rising costs of food, power and medical services.

“These are people who are normally independent and could be anyone’s neighbour or friend, the face of financial hardship is changing.”

When people seeking help through Vinnies Emergency Relief services across Tasmania were asked what Christmas means to them and what they hope for this year, their answers were simple.

Overwhelmingly, they spoke of family: being together, sharing a home-cooked meal and “loving and sharing and enjoying the holiday time with my family.” One person hoped for “a nice cooked meal at the mother’s” and another simply wished “to be with all of my kids,” and one, despite doing it tough themselves, wished for extra money to buy gifts for other children in need.

For some, those hopes are harder to reach. One person said they would love to have their family all together, “but that will not happen so I will spend the day by myself.”

A parent experiencing homelessness said they did not know how they would provide for their children, while another hoped their injured son could come home from hospital for the day.

Others wished for a safe Christmas, or a Vinnies Christmas hamper “to make it easier to enjoy Christmas Day.”

St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania CEO Connie Digolis, said the generosity of Tasmanians allowed Vinnies Members and volunteers to keep their doors open to anyone who needed help as demand grows.

“Our Members and volunteers tell me they are seeing more people than ever who have never had to ask for help for the first time in their lives,” Ms Digolis said.

“These are working families, pensioners and young people who have simply run out of room in their budgets. Christmas should be a time of joy, but for too many Tasmanians it is a time of worry.

“Every dollar donated to our Christmas Appeal stays in Tasmania and goes directly to people in our local communities, whether that is a food hamper, help with a bill, a gift for a child or simply someone to sit down and talk with.

“No donation is too small. Together, we can make sure no Tasmanian has to face Christmas alone or go without the basics.”

This year, Tasmanians can also support the appeal through a special handmade collection of Christmas decorations.

Employees of the Society’s Special Work Tas Textiles, have hand-crafted Christmas decorations which will be sold through Vinnies retail stores statewide, with all proceeds going to the Christmas Appeal.

“Our supported workforce at Tas Textiles have put a great deal of time and care into making these beautiful decorations,” Ms Digolis said.

“Every item purchased will help a Tasmanian family who is struggling this Christmas.”

Donations to the Vinnies Tasmania Christmas Appeal can be made online at https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-tas/christmas-appeal-tas, by calling 13 18 12, or in person at any Vinnies store across Tasmania.