Rise in ‘working poor’ needing help
The rising cost of living means that people who would not usually approach charities are doing so.
Salvation Army Nelson Tasman community ministry director Ros Johnson said there had been a definite increase in requests over the past year, with the higher cost of living pushing new people to approach for help.
Many of these people were ‘‘on the borderline’’ and had never felt the need to approach agencies for aid before.
There had been an increase of the ‘‘working poor’’ coming forward. Johnson said 15% of their clients were working which was ‘‘a sizeable amount’’. Many of these clients worked in the hospitality industry or as seasonal workers.
People had less money after paying for basic needs like rent, food, and fuel, so there was ‘‘not a lot of wiggle room if things go wrong’’.
‘‘They don’t have control of how much wages they get week to week.
‘‘The cost of living, food, housing, has put them in a position where it’s untenable.’’
A sudden medical emergency or their car breaking down had a serious impact on people living ‘‘week to week’’ off limited income.
Help with food was the most common request. Of the people the Salvation Army were working with, 48.1% of them were single.
Many families consisted of grandparents looking after young children.
Until the cost of living went down or wages and benefits went up, Johnson said she didn’t predict anything getting better any time soon.
One improvement was the winter energy payment which was helpful for many people in need.
Fifeshire Foundation coordinator Shanine Hermsen said the year had been a big one for the charity, with October, when it had received just under 50 applications, being the biggest month on record.
The requests, which ranged from baby cots and mattresses to groceries, washing machines, firewood, and dental care, showed the higher cost of living was affecting families in the region, and forcing people to ‘‘carefully tighten purse strings’’.
She also noted that the higher cost of living was influencing people who wouldn’t usually approach Fifeshire or other charities to come forward.
Hermsen said one applicant she spoke to said she felt bad about applying, as she believed there was ‘‘someone worse off’’.
This was not necessarily true, as the charity was receiving applications from people belonging to all walks of life. Hermsen encouraged people to come forward if they needed aid.
Helping Families founder Kristy Rowe said the number of requests the charity had received had definitely gone up, with more children registered for their Christmas Shoebox campaign than last year.
Usually by this time of year, children had grown out of their clothes, and were needing clothes for the summer, including T-shirts and shorts.
As part of Project Joy, Rowe worked with local agencies to provide nominated children with a shoebox full of goodies for Christmas.
Christmas could be a stressful time for families, with expectations that caregivers have to provide ‘‘dozens and dozens’’ of presents to expectant children.
Right now, the agency needed blankets and bedding in good condition, and clothing for children aged under 16 years.
Rowe stressed that, although people were struggling, they did not deserve clothing or toys from ‘‘the bottom of the barrel’’. Unusable clothing that was ripped, stained, or damaged could not be donated.
‘‘I hear a lot of people say if someone is desperate they’ll be happy [with anything]. I don’t really like that . . . We want to lift them up. They’re worthy of good stuff.’’
Rowe said people could check the agency’s website if they wanted to get involved with Project Joy or donate.