Salvation Army reveals scale of crisis among those in need

Even more distressing, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) resorted to consuming expired or spoiled food.

Over a third (35 per cent) of respondents were forced to use buy now, pay later services to cover essentials such as food, utilities and medicine, and a disturbing 83 per cent were living below the poverty line.

And in Shepparton, conditions remain just as dire.

“Whilst we haven’t done the figures directly down to Shepparton, as we see people walking in our doors, it’s the same experience,” Shepparton Salvation Army corps officer Major Scott Smallacombe said.

“Particularly parents, who will go without food to feed their children.

“But I’d say also a huge number of singles, particularly because they’re living on a single income and trying to find accommodation, and that just uses up all their money.

“I think in Shepparton it starts with accommodation.

“So many people are putting so many of their funds, like their income, whether it’s government income or work, or even particularly asylum seekers who might not have an income ... accommodation chews up so much of their costs that it just leaves them with nothing.

“Nothing else for utilities, for food, for many of those things.”

For this year’s Red Shield Appeal, community members can do their part by donating to various supermarkets, donating online, supporting local Salvos stores and thrift shops and fundraising on behalf of the Salvation Army Australia.

Shepparton Salvos will be doing collection rounds for the next two weeks, specifically in:

To donate to the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, visit tinyurl.com/4522ntje or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58)