The Salvation Army last week launched its annual Christmas Appeal and the Hobsons Bay corps are doing their bit to contribute by organising food drives with local organisations to support their Christmas hamper program.
“Anyone in the community can run a food drive at their local school or workplace and the donations that we receive this will go into hampers to support what we estimate will be 100 families,“ said Hobsons Bay corps Captain Star Conliffe.
Captain Conliffe said nonperishable foods and toiletries can be donated up until December 13 when the Christmas hampers will be put together and the distributed.
“We especially appreciate Christmas foods because they’re the things our clientele will struggle to afford,“ she said.
“Long life custard, puddings, cakes, mince pies and other treats.”
Captain Conliffe said the cost of living crisis meant it was especially important that people donated this year.
“We’re seeing families that we’ve never met before reaching out to us because of the cost of living,” she said.
“Last year we had an incredibly generous year, the community gave us more donations of food than we’d ever received before and we’re hoping that this year’s donations can match that because we know the need is so strong.”
Captain Conliffe’s anecdotal evidence is backed up by new research released by the Salvation Army to coincide with the launch of their Christmas appeal,.
The research found over 15.3 million Australians (72 per cent) will be more mindful of their spending this Christmas compared to previous years, and over 4 in 10 (42 per cent) will have their Christmas negatively impacted this year because of the cost of living.
Further, almost half of Australians (48 per cent) will buy less presents for their children and loved ones, and an alarming 11.9 million people (56 per cent) will spend less on food this Christmas.
The research also found that while only 9.3 per cent of Australians will be reaching out to a charity for help this Christmas, over 55 per cent of these people will be doing so for the first time.
Donations to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal can be made by visiting salvationarmy.org.au or calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).
Donations can also be made at any Salvos Store.
Cade Lucas
