ADOPT A FAMILY

According to the 2018 Poverty in Australia report, released by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACROSS) in partnership with the University of New South Wales, more than three million Australians (13.2 per cent of the population) are living below the poverty line.

The poverty line works out to about $433 per week for a single adult, or $909 per week for a couple with two children.

The report also found that many of these people are living in ‘deep’ poverty, which sees them earning as little as $135 below the poverty line.

As the festive season approaches, most Australians will be getting ready for a happy time with their families; feasts, gifts, drinks and a general feeling of wellness.

For those Australians living in poverty, Christmas can be an incredibly stressful and challenging time, as they struggle to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and children clothed and happy.

In an effort to alleviate some of the stress faced by impoverished families, The Chronicle’s annual Adopt A Family for Christmas appeal calls on Toowoomba’s residents to help those in need.

Helping to brighten someone’s Christmas is easy; all you need to do, is gather gifts, food or hampers to donate and head over to The

Chronicle’s website for a list of families in need. The families’ names are confidential, but you will be able to see whether they are a single mum or dad, a couple, or a couple with small children, to help you choose the family you’d like to support this year.

Call the welfare agency or charity on the number supplied to make your donation.

The appeal will open for donations later this month, so be on the lookout for advertisements in

The Chronicle, or keep an eye on the website (www.thechronicle.com.au) for more information.