A MOUNT Gambier welfare food distributor at the coalface of hunger is being hit with record demand as families struggle with “power bill shock” and the rising cost of living.
While some employees will see a 3pc rise in their payslips following a lift in the minimum wage, Regional Foodbank Mount Gambier branch manager Lynne Neshoda says she expects this upward trend in demand to continue.
She said some families in Mount Gambier were choosing to switch off their heaters to find money for food while other people were living out of cars.
While many low socio economic people were turning to regional welfare agencies for help, she warned many one income families and pensioners were also struggling to put food on the table.
As the winter chill continued to sweep across the city, she said many people were trying to juggle the bills that were flooding in.
“In the last 18 months we have doubled the output and it is just increasing,” Ms Neshoda said.
She said the facility was on track to break the record last financial year with no signs of this upward trend easing.
“We are seeing record. I think it is due to the cost of living,” Ms Neshoda explained.
“This time of year, especially in Mount Gambier, many families are considering whether to heat or eat. Many people are dealing with bill shock.”
While some people presume people seeking help were on government payments, she said this was not “necessarily true”.
“We are seeing a lot of one income families who do not have a healthcare card and struggle to live on one income.
“They could get one electricity bill, which could be $400 or $500. Where do you cut from to pay that – you have to cut food. They have to pay their rent.”.
If it was not for the region’s dedicated welfare agencies providing emergency food relief, she said some people would not have a meal at night.
Asked if Foodbank had enough food to meet demand, Ms Neshoda said it was an uphill battle.
“There is such a big need. We get it in but it goes out pretty quickly,” she said.
“We also access food from the Foodbank warehouse in Adelaide where all the national companies donate food to every fortnight because we cannot keep up with demand.”
While bakeries donated breach daily, she said there was also shortfall in these items.
“We still have to get frozen bread out of Adelaide,” Ms Neshoda explained.
She said the charity organisation would welcome “food staple” donations such as rice and pasta and canned meals.
“Businesses are already a great support and they have been so generous, but we would always appreciate more support such as spovnsorship,” Ms Neshoda said.
