With thousands of South Australians facing poverty this Christmas, including many for the first time, AnglicareSA will provide more than 1,500 hampers to bring festive cheer to those in need.
AnglicareSA Executive General Manager Community Services Nancy Penna said the hampers will help to relieve great stress for the many families experiencing hardship due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
“This year, our emergency assistance centres have seen a lot of new faces approach us who have suddenly found themselves needing support,” she said.
“We’ve seen a lot of young families– many who have lost jobs in industries hardest hit by COVID-19.
“More than 50 per cent of the people who came to us for emergency assistance in Adelaide CBD have not done so before. State-wide, more than 7,000 people approached AnglicareSA emergency assistance services.”
While pandemic-boosted income support payments have been helpful during this difficult and uncertain year, an imminent end to the COVID-19 supplement will leave many families at breaking point.
By providing food hampers, basic essentials, and financial and emotional support, AnglicareSA aims to not only support people during the festive season, but help them to get their lives back on track.
“Families are approaching us anxious about how they will pay their rent or power bill, let alone how they will celebrate on Christmas Day,” Ms Penna said.
“AnglicareSA is calling for the JobSeeker rate to be raised permanently. If this crucial change isn’t made, those already struggling with daily living costs will struggle even further, and as a result, homelessness is likely to increase.
“We’re asking the entire South Australian community to give generously this Christmas and donate any spare funds they can towards vital emergency assistance.
“For us it might just be a small contribution, but for the people on the receiving end it means everything.”
Donations from the Christmas Appeal allow AnglicareSA to provide emergency assistance, practical support and hope to families doing it tough.