The Salvation Army has released shocking new research highlighting the desperation of Australia’s most vulnerable people. In a survey of nearly 3,600 people who have reached out to the charity for help, it found more than half of them (55%) were skipping meals because of financial hardship. Even more (57%) could not afford prescription medication and almost a quarter (23%) were forced to eat expired or spoiled food. For families with children, the situation is even more dire, with 62% of parents saying they went without food so their kids could eat. The Salvos found 43% of families couldn’t afford essentials like formula and nappies for their young children. Over a third (36%) struggled to cover the costs of basic non-prescription medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen. A 30-year-old mum who had received support from the Salvos said: “I’m extremely depressed. I feel like I am failing as a mother.” “I’m a public servant and still cannot provide. I have considered quitting my job to save on the cost of petrol, parking, childcare, etc.”
Another community member said, “I just drink water to fill up my tummy.” “And the milk for the baby, for example, one bottle is for four scoops of milk, I always put two scoops in every bottle.” “I don’t use nappies for the baby because I can’t afford to buy nappies for her.” “When we wash our clothes, we are not using soap. I can’t afford that.” Over a third of respondents (35%) were forced to use buy now, pay later services to cover essentials like food, utilities and medicine. An alarming 83% were living below the poverty line. It found that 90% of respondents said they wouldn’t have managed without the support of The Salvation Army. Many were previous donors who now need help despite holding down jobs. “It is truly shocking in a country like Australia that we are seeing these devastating numbers,” said Major Bruce Harmer, head of External Communications at The Salvation Army. “No one should be forced to eat expired food or to eat out of rubbish bins.”
“The fact that over one in twenty (6%) of those we surveyed said they were eating from dumpsters breaks our heart.” “Those presenting to us are some of the most marginalised and disadvantaged in our community.” A 43-year-old mum said, “I go without and try to give my children what they need.” “I have payment plans with electricity so my power does not get turned off” “I buy the same food every week because that’s all I can afford.” “I haven’t eaten meat in many months. I have to use Afterpay to get washing powder and food.” A 62-year-old woman added, “I’m going without meals. I eat only one small meal a day now.” “I’ve cut down on my medication, only taking half of my meds. I have considered eating dog or cat food.” The survey revealed 43% of respondents often showered less to save on water and electricity. One in five (20%) were living in darkness to cut electricity costs and one in eight (12%) relied on public bathrooms and shopping centres to avoid using utilities at home.
Major Harmer said that 58% of the charity’s clients feel their mental health is worse than last year. The survey coincided with The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal which ended on June 30. This year it was aiming to raise $38 million to ensure its 2,000 services across the country can continue to support Australians doing it tough. It helps in areas such as homelessness, family and domestic violence, youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and financial hardship offering budgeting programs and consultations with creditors. Last year its network of centres provided: a) Assistance to one person every 17 seconds b) More than 1.76 million sessions of care to over 250,000 people in need c) Over 1.1 million bed nights to those who needed accommodation d) More than 1.5 million meals to people who accessed its homelessness services. “But we need the support of the Australian public to help us do this,” he stressed.
Source: Vision Christian Media
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