Christmas 2025 - Society of St Vincent de Paul

Give money

You can be part of this compassionate work without leaving your chair – make a contribution online through our secure payment facility.

Donate Online

Give time

Join our 2500 members and volunteers who live their faith by reaching out to disadvantaged people in their local community.

Join us

Give skills

Do you know how to lay bricks? Plumbing … dressmaking … knitting? Can you start a vegetable garden … tutor a child? Contact us!

Give resources

Supplies such as blankets, clothing and shoes, toiletries, food, building materials and paint, fabric and knitting wool are always needed.

Help us send 2 500 underprivileged children back to school in new school shoes.

Your gift means so much to child from a poor family.

A new pair of school shoes isn’t on most kids’ Christmas wish list

Only those who’ve never owned a brand new pair of shoes. You won’t believe how many of them walk to school every day with bare feet. Others make do with flimsy flip flops – or worn out, broken footwear handed down from older siblings.

Imagine having to walk barefoot along burning hot tarmac or dusty paths strewn with broken glass, sharp stones and thorns. And winter is even worse. Little toes go numb with the cold, especially if the ground is wet as well as freezing.

But, for families struggling to survive poverty, hardship and unemployment, new school shoes aren’t a priority. Not when every cent is needed for food. We help out with food parcels wherever we can.

But wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could give every child in need a new pair of school shoes for Christmas?

The good news is we CAN … if enough caring people like you join together with us.

Right now we have an opportunity to buy shoes made from recycled plastic waste, at a fraction of the price of store bought shoes. They’re as shiny, comfortable and hard wearing as any others. Just cheaper. And environmentally friendly as well.

Donate now

So what do you say?

Will you chip in for a pair of school shoes now? They’re just R50 per pair. So a donation of R150 buys 3 pairs … R500 buys 10 pairs. Any amount brings us closer to our target of 2 500 shoes for Christmas.

We’re also grateful for donations of pre-worn school shoes in good condition. Just drop us an email and we’ll arrange collection by the SSVP conference in your area.

It’s so easy to spread a little joy at Christmas time. Beyond our own circle, there’s a special satisfaction that comes from including someone less fortunate than ourselves. Someone who can’t afford to buy a gift for their child.

By providing a pair of new school shoes, you bring the spirit of Christmas not only to a child … but to their grateful parents as well.

May your own festive season be filled with the love and joy you share so generously with others in need. Happy Christmas!

Heart of our work

Our core work involves alleviating the worst human suffering in areas of abject poverty – where families live in homes made of cardboard or thin plastic … where unemployment and malnutrition is rife … and where parents are dying and leaving children to care for one another.

We help the hungry, the homeless, the sick, vulnerable children and destitute aged.

And because most of the work is done by volunteers, almost every cent you donate goes directly to helping those in need.

More about us

Core Work

Latest News

Posted on 04 Dec 2025

Kindness by numbers

2500

MEMBERS

2000

PARISHES

3000

PEOPLE FED DAILY

180

YEARS OF HISTORY

Why we do this work

VINCENTIANS SPEAK

I have always felt that I was not doing enough to show God how thankful I am for all that He has done and keeps on doing for me. Joining SSVP enabled me to practice the same love that Jesus’ life on earth radiated, an unconditional love that is given freely without expecting any rewards.

Lindokuhle Mwelase
I grew up with SSVP in my home – my parents have been members for more than 20 years. After losing a loved one, I joined SSVP to recover from my loss by helping others who have experienced the same. My heart holds a special place for children in need.

Charmelle la Bercensie
I didn’t choose to join SSVP – the holy spirit led me to it. The work of the society echoes my favourite quote of St Vincent’s: “Let us love God, but let it be with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brow.”

Qwendall Gouws
Poverty provides a deeper motivation for understanding your neighbours, welcoming others and attending to those who are suffering. I would say go so far as to say that poverty helps you understand what happiness is, what serenity is in life.” Frédéric Ozanam

Andre Louis

Good works

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