SVP: 25% of contacts from first-time callers
The Society of St Vincent de Paul says that one in four calls received last year were from people looking for help who had not contacted the charity before.
About 60%of the calls were from homes with children, with a quarter requesting food.
Some 16% of callers were looking for help with bills and energy costs.
The SVP said it expects the 35% increase in 2011 in people seeking assistance to be surpassed this year.
The charity has seen an 83% increase in calls for help since 2009.
