Trócaire boxes usually raise €8million each year.
Trócaire, a Catholic Church charity known for its work in developing nations, has seen a decline of 60% in donations through its well-known boxes issued during the Lenten period.
The Trócaire boxes are typically the charity's largest annual fund-raising drive, and boxes are typically situated not just in homes, but small businesses, classrooms, hospitals, churches et al. The charity says that the appeal has been "severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many supporters unable to return their Trócaire boxes due to ongoing restrictions."
According to the charity, the appeal typically raises €8million a year, but this year most boxes have not even been returned.
Trócaire today warned that unless donations from the boxes are returned, it is facing a funding crisis that will impact directly on the "3 million people who rely on its work overseas."
Speaking today, Trócaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra said: "People all over Ireland fill their Trócaire boxes to support the world’s poorest people, but the closure of schools and churches means that support is not getting through.
"Thousands of boxes are sitting in homes across Ireland. Unless these generous donations are returned, we won’t be able to provide life-saving support to some of the poorest people in the world.
"We are asking our supporters to please ‘make your Trócaire box count’. Please count or estimate what is in your box and donate the equivalent amount online, over the phone or via post. Many parishes have their own local arrangements in place for collecting Trócaire boxes, so people can also contact their local parish to see if it is possible to return their box within social distancing guidelines."
The charity is now urging people to take the following steps in order to make their donation:
- Online at trocaire.org
- Over the phone at 1850 408 408 (ROI) or 0800 912 1200 (NI)
- By post to Trócaire, Freepost, Maynooth, Co. Kildare (ROI) or Trócaire, King Street, Belfast (NI)
- Check with your local parish if it is possible to arrange a safe drop-off.
