Cost of living bites

People are needing more help to get by and as the cost of living really starts to bite, the Salvation Army Leongatha are on the ground supporting locals in need. 

Last week, the charity held their Red Shield Appeal which raised funds that go back into the local community.

The funds will be helping people in need with food and finances and to avoid homelessness.

Captain Amanda Hart, from Salvation Army Leongatha is seeing an increase in people accessing their services from across a wide range of demographics.

“The cost of living increasing just makes even the simplest things a lot more expensive and so we have seen an increase in the number of people coming in,” she said.

“We still have quiet days, but we are generally having busier days with more people coming in and just needing help with just getting by until the next pay.

“A lot more people that we haven’t seen before, which is tough too because if you’ve never had to actually ask for help before, even just stepping into the building to ask us is a tough thing.”

Food items and other essentials are available for people who are struggling, with the organisation sourcing the bulk of their items from the local Woolworths and ALDI, together with some personal donations.

“We’re really fortunate in Leongatha to have food and other things donated from Woolworths and from ALDI, so we do a pickup from ALDI one day a week and Woolworths’ five days a week.

“It’s bakery items and food that’s almost at its best before or use by, which means we can then hand that out to people. So rather than them putting it into land fill, we can then use it in our food bank.”

While the charity obtains regular supplies, they are always happy to receive more, particularly staples and non-perishable items.

“Pasta and sauce, rice the things you can just reach for in the pantry to make a quick and easy meal, tea and coffee is always good too, soups that kind of thing and even ready-made meals as well, and baked beans and spaghetti are good too.”

Despite the pressure of mounting costs, the local community remains generous.

“Considering the costs of living especially, we’ve had a really great response with the Red Shield Appeal so we’re really appreciative of such a generous community, and I want to say thank you to the community for their support with the Red Shield Appeal.

“The funds we raise locally for the Red Shield Appeal go back into our local community so that will help ensure that our emergency relief service continues, and our other programs as well such as our community dinner on Tuesday nights.”