Emergency cold weather packs for the homeless

St Vincent de Paul members and volunteers doing outreach on the streets are handing out Vinnie Packs in the freezing weather across England and Wales. Each pack contains a thermal hat, thermal gloves, two pairs of thermal socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, face cloth, pen and information sheet.

Vinnie Packs Co-ordinator and Holy Rood, Watford SVP member, Siobhan Garibaldi told ICN: "The weather is so cold at the moment and it's shocking to think that there are people sleeping on the streets or in cold, squalid property in freezing conditions. The number of rough sleepers has increased by nearly 75% since 2010 when the Vinnie Pack project began, so the need has never been greater. The packs don't solve the homelessness issue, but offer a seed of comfort and some practical items to make people feel a little warmer and a little cleaner. It's offering love to our brothers and sisters in their hour of need."

By the end of the month, around 10,000 packs will have been given out. Financial donations are appreciated (and vital) to ensure that the project can keep going and can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ (cheques made out to SVP) or by electronic transfer to Vinnie Packs a/c 46088237 sort code 60-60-04.