Can you sponsor a cold weather pack for a homeless person?

Cardinal with Vinnie Pack

Source: SVP

Vinnie Packs containing thermal hats, gloves, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, pen and information sheet are being handed out to the homeless throughout England and Wales to help combat the freezing conditions.

The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) in Westminster Diocese packed 12,000 Vinnie Packs this winter with the help of members and volunteers and are now appealing to the public to sponsor packs.

Siobhán Garibaldi, president of the SVP in Westminster Diocese, says: "We are able to put each pack together for £3.50 as we don't have any administration costs other than paying for a PO Box. Each pack is put together and distributed with love from all those involved. Wonderful teams of employees from the Ritz, Lloyds, Facebook and Arrow Communications have helped to assemble or hand out Vinnie Packs along with parishioners and SVP members.

"As well as distributing packs on our own soup runs, we give them to any drop-in centre, night shelter or group that deals with people on the streets. The important thing is that we get them out to the people who need them. If you're cold and hungry, you probably don't care whose hand reaches out to you. You just need someone to help. We are immensely grateful for financial donations to help keep the project going for many years to come."

Donations can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ with cheques made out to SVP or at https://goo.gl/kLH607.