In ACT and surrounding regions, Vinnies is seeing significant increase in low-income families seeking help to afford the basics, such as food and electricity, let alone Christmas treats.
“After struggling all year, I am now at breaking point and things are only getting worse with each passing day. At this rate, I won’t be able to afford a simple Christmas meal for my children. They’ll be disappointed,” said Anna*.
One of many Australian families on a low-income, Anna is doing her best to care for her two children, but the sky-rocketing prices have affected her and her family drastically.
“People talk about the cost-of-living crisis but families like mine are barely living at all. How can you call it living when can’t turn the lights on because you can’t afford to pay the bill? When you have to tell the kids, they can’t have a shower? When there’s nothing in the fridge?”, said Anna.
Lucy Hohnen, CEO of Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn said, “We are getting over 120 calls a day on our assist line with urgent appeals for help. Not only has there been a significant increase in calls for help, a third of the people coming to us have never approached a charity before. People are coming to us for things like food, help with bills, rent so they don’t get evicted.
“Can you imagine the emotional stress that these families are experiencing, while struggling to choose between putting food on the table or buying Christmas gifts for their kids? We are calling on Canberrans and surrounding communities to help us raise $300,000 to support those less fortunate with life’s essentials this Christmas,” said Lucy.
Yesterday, Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn held their Christmas Appeal launch event at Canberra Centre to ask the Canberra community to rally their support for Vinnies in response to the urgent need they are seeing daily. Due to the urgent nature of the need to raise critical funds for those in need this Christmas, Vinnies reached out to the public via the media event for the first time.
The event was formally launched by the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, and Treasury.
“Canberrans are generous people and while it’s always great to support our wonderful charities, the lead up to Christmas is a time when donations can make a huge difference,” Dr Leigh said.
“Many Canberrans have been hit hard by increases in cost of living and the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Christmas Appeal does great work supporting so many in our community. If you can afford to give, now is a great time to do it.”
The funds raised this Christmas will be used to provide urgent and practical support to families who are struggling to survive this cost-of-living crisis.
“Last year, when I was at absolute rock bottom, I reached out to Vinnies and met Grace who helped me out with food and helped me pay the bills,” Anna said. “I truly hope Vinnies can give families like mine and many others struggling a helping hand this Christmas and help us make through the holidays. Maybe even help us enjoy the season a little bit.”
Last summer, from 1 November 2022 to 31 January 2023, Vinnies volunteers were able to provide emergency assistance with food, petrol, clothes, medicine, rent and other essentials worth over $600,000 to families and individuals in ACT and surrounds, thanks to the generosity of the local community.
To donate, call on 13 18 12 or visit vinnies.org.au
*Vinnies uses a different name to protect the privacy of people they support.
