Vulnerable Aussies turn to shocking methods to get by: 'Each week, I am behind'
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In a country as prosperous as Australia, it's hard to imagine anyone struggling to put food on the table.
A recent report laid bare the stark reality many of our most vulnerable citizens face.
According to a survey by the Salvation Army among 1500 Australians, about 63 per cent of those who accessed their services for the past 12 months had to skip meals due to financial constraints.
About 45 per cent of the respondents also had to choose between paying for housing or buying food.
Alarmingly, a quarter of the respondents have resorted to dumpster diving—a desperate act highlighting the severity of the food security crisis.
Salvation Army Major Warren Elliot shared that these findings were shocking.
'To hear that one in 20 of our respondents are eating food being pulled out of bins, that's quite alarming,' he said.
These figures are not just statistics; they represent real people who struggle to survive in a cost-of-living crisis, as grocery prices soar by 33 per cent over the past three years.
The rental market also faced the same situation, as prices reached record highs across major cities.
Housing platform Domain presented a recent report which indicated a staggering increase in rental costs.
Sydney's rental prices rose by 12.9 per cent, Melbourne's by 14.6 per cent, Brisbane's by 18 per cent, and Perth's by an astonishing 22.2 per cent over the last year.
These hikes in living expenses are pushing more Australians to the brink, with the Salvation Army reporting a 15 per cent increase in demand for their services in the past year alone.
A 33-year-old mum shared her experience of skipping meals to ensure her children could eat.
'I'm having to constantly borrow money from friends due to being unable to buy essentials,' she said.
'I'm having to go days without eating so my kids can eat, cancelling specialist appointments that are a requirement for my health due to the cost of living.'
Another mum shared her stressful experience as a vulnerable citizen.
'Each week, I am behind. Some weeks I have not paid my rent so I can provide for my kids and medical scans they have needed,' she stated.
'It causes so much stress living on the edge.'
The Salvation Army also stated that a 35 per cent increase of women and children were asking for assistance after being impacted by violence.
'A lot of them are working, so it's not necessarily the people on pensions,' he added.
Another concerning aspect of this crisis is the impact on older Australians, particularly women.
Elliott highlighted that older, single women are one of the fastest-growing groups needing assistance.
'These are often single older women who may have been through a later-in-life divorce or have lost a partner and are struggling. We are seeing growing numbers of older, single women across the board,' he shared.
The Salvation Army's 60th Red Shield Appeal is a call to action for all Australians to help those in need.
Donations can be made online, by phone, or at any Salvos Store.
However, beyond this response, a broader conversation and action plan to address the systemic issues is needed so authorities can develop sustainable solutions.
In a related article, victims of domestic abuse and violence may see the light at the end of the tunnel soon, as a government initiative made waves on social media earlier.
Have you or someone you know faced food insecurity? What do you think can be done to support vulnerable Australians? Please share your insights with us in the comments section below.
A recent report laid bare the stark reality many of our most vulnerable citizens face.
According to a survey by the Salvation Army among 1500 Australians, about 63 per cent of those who accessed their services for the past 12 months had to skip meals due to financial constraints.
About 45 per cent of the respondents also had to choose between paying for housing or buying food.
Alarmingly, a quarter of the respondents have resorted to dumpster diving—a desperate act highlighting the severity of the food security crisis.
Many Australians face a crisis as rental prices rise and food insecurity looms among residents. Image Credit: Pexels/Michael Burrows
Salvation Army Major Warren Elliot shared that these findings were shocking.
'To hear that one in 20 of our respondents are eating food being pulled out of bins, that's quite alarming,' he said.
These figures are not just statistics; they represent real people who struggle to survive in a cost-of-living crisis, as grocery prices soar by 33 per cent over the past three years.
The rental market also faced the same situation, as prices reached record highs across major cities.
Housing platform Domain presented a recent report which indicated a staggering increase in rental costs.
Sydney's rental prices rose by 12.9 per cent, Melbourne's by 14.6 per cent, Brisbane's by 18 per cent, and Perth's by an astonishing 22.2 per cent over the last year.
These hikes in living expenses are pushing more Australians to the brink, with the Salvation Army reporting a 15 per cent increase in demand for their services in the past year alone.
A 33-year-old mum shared her experience of skipping meals to ensure her children could eat.
'I'm having to constantly borrow money from friends due to being unable to buy essentials,' she said.
'I'm having to go days without eating so my kids can eat, cancelling specialist appointments that are a requirement for my health due to the cost of living.'
Another mum shared her stressful experience as a vulnerable citizen.
'Each week, I am behind. Some weeks I have not paid my rent so I can provide for my kids and medical scans they have needed,' she stated.
'It causes so much stress living on the edge.'
The Salvation Army also stated that a 35 per cent increase of women and children were asking for assistance after being impacted by violence.
'A lot of them are working, so it's not necessarily the people on pensions,' he added.
Another concerning aspect of this crisis is the impact on older Australians, particularly women.
Elliott highlighted that older, single women are one of the fastest-growing groups needing assistance.
'These are often single older women who may have been through a later-in-life divorce or have lost a partner and are struggling. We are seeing growing numbers of older, single women across the board,' he shared.
The Salvation Army's 60th Red Shield Appeal is a call to action for all Australians to help those in need.
Donations can be made online, by phone, or at any Salvos Store.
However, beyond this response, a broader conversation and action plan to address the systemic issues is needed so authorities can develop sustainable solutions.
In a related article, victims of domestic abuse and violence may see the light at the end of the tunnel soon, as a government initiative made waves on social media earlier.
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