HUNDREDS of volunteers continue to shiver throughout the day – rattling cans. But they know the money they raise will warm the hearts and fill the stomachs of some of Ballarat’s most vulnerable people.
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The Ballarat Community Church is aiming to collect $60,000 during this year’s Red Shield Appeal. If they do not reach that target they will not be able to meet the increasing need, as more and more families and elderly people continue to battle rising food costs and lack of job security.
On a freezing Saturday morning Major Andrew van Gaalen stood on the corner of Creswick Road. He was pleased his prayers for no rain had been answered.
“If it rains, we have to stop and there is no way we will meet our target,” Major van Gaalen said.
The Ballarat Salvation Army Branch treated 5000 people, some repeat clients, in 2015. That number will rise to more than 6000 this year.
“There is a lot more need. People that once would have been able to cope are now struggling,” Major van Gaalen said.
“The cost of living has increased, but wages have not.”
The people Major van Gaalen meets come from all walks of life. Some have ended up struggling, or homeless, simply because an unexpected bill arrived and it threw them off course. Some, have not had any budgeting experience or skills.
“We are teaching budget skills now, because we find that helps,” Major van Gaalen said.
Many elderly people cannot survive on their pension, especially now that winter is nearly here and temperatures are dropping.
Major van Gaalen appealed to the public to open their hearts and wallets.
“The reality is, most people are just one missed paycheck away from struggling,” Major van Gaalen said.
Statewide a Salvation Army report showed 36 per cent of people moved house an average of 2.6 times, 28 per cent experienced housing transiency due to domestic violence, 32 per cent were looking for work, 40 per cent reported having to go without meals because they were short of money. To volunteer for the appeal call 5337 0600.