SVP opens new shops as more turn to charity for help

The growing demands on services from the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Meath has seen the charity open another shop in Athboy last weekend, with others to follow shortly in Navan and Bettystown, bringing the total number of shops in the county to 11. According to Liam Manning, regional officer of the SVP, as more people turn to it for help, the group has had to reinvent its fundraising efforts by looking to the retail sector. "We are generating income from retail now and seeing declining revenues from more traditional streams like church gate collections," he commented. Louise Keegan, secretary of the SVP in Athboy, said there is a constant and increased demand for their services and the shop, which will sell mainly clothes and other items, is a welcome addition to the area. "During the summer, it used to be quiet and we would just have to deal with emergencies," she said. This year, however, there was no quiet period and the local SVP was in high demand right through the season.