Need for back to school help hits record high

The Ballarat Foundation has distributed $20,000 worth of back to school vouchers to the struggling families of primary school pupils in the Ballarat region.

Ballarat Foundation chief executive Andrew Eales said this was the biggest donation through the program for a considerable period of time.

The annual program run in partnership with the Foundation For Rural and Regional Renewal provides $50 Kmart and Target vouchers to assist in purchasing items like school uniforms and stationery.

Mr Eales said he believed the vouchers were particularly well received this year following the struggles of home learning and additional financial difficulties due to the pandemic.

"It makes that transition to the new school year that bit easier," he said.

The Ballarat Foundation provided 400 vouchers to about 45 primary schools in the Ballarat region.

The schools distributed the vouchers to families in need.

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Mr Eales said the foundation was aware of the great need for assistance in the community.

The organisation partnered with Salvation Army last year to deliver food parcels to Ballarat schools as a COVID-19 response.

More than 200 parcels were delivered every fortnight to families at the schools.

Mr Eales said 2021 would likely be even tougher for struggling families than 2020, with a drop off in government supports JobKeeper and JobSeeker and the end of some rental freezes.

"We are seeing families that had been well supported through the pandemic will find this year potentially tougher than 2020," he said.

"That is a pretty scary proposition for our community."

Mr Eales said the community would need further support as the government programs reduced.

"The crisis from a health point of view is not nearly as bad as what it was last year, but the economic impact is going to go on for a considerable amount of time," he said.

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The Ballarat Foundation has ended its school food parcel delivery program, but is currently working with Ballarat secondary schools on a new project.

"Supporting need around food relief is a very high priority for this year," Mr Eales said.

Food relief is also available through Salvation Army, Uniting, CatholicCare, Anglicare and other welfare organisations in Ballarat.

Back to school help was also offered through these organisations, with CatholicCare continuing to provide interest free loans to assist with big ticket purchases like technology for education purposes and other items.

The organisations have reported a high number of people seeking help for the first time since the pandemic began.

Mr Eales said the impact would continue to evolve and more information would become available about the greatest needs.

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