Assistance for families in need
The Invercargill Salvation Army has seen a huge increase in people seeking support this year and is expecting a big demand for food parcels through the Christmas period.
Invercargill Salvation Army corp officer captain Annette Bray said demand throughout the year had been quite heavy, to the point where the food bank was looking empty and sad. ‘‘This year, more than any other year, we’ve had to go buy groceries.’’
When asked what was having a financial impact on these families, Bray said the discussion had been around fuel and rent.
People who needed to get to work were being hit by the high fuel prices, she said.
There had also been a lot of talk around the cost of housing. ‘‘Not necessarily people who are in established housing, but people who, for whatever reason, are having to move from one rental accommodation to another are finding that the jump in rent can be quite a challenge.’’
The organisation always had to buy perishables, like milk and butter, for food parcels but this year they need to buy things like baked beans and spaghetti.
Ten days ago, Bray spent $300 worth of New World vouchers they had been given to buy groceries and they were now all gone.
At the moment, the organisation had not entered the time of year when people came to them asking for Christmas items, but they were expecting an increase, Bray said.
‘‘We’re picking that the demand for the food will be higher this year.’’
This year, the organisation was doing things differently and not running the adopt a family programme, but instead having a Christmas appeal where they collect donations and put together parcels. It was a strategic move to make it easier for people who donated, while making it more even for families. Instead of doing it in three days, they would do it over four weeks, Bray said.