Soup Bus appeals for winter woolies to help homeless this winter

On Track Foundation vice-president Carol Trusler, which funds the Soup Bus, said there were increasing numbers of people seeking hot meals every week.

"Our numbers have doubled since COVID and it's just increasing more each week. It's going up and up," she said.

Support payments being cut, changing employment and a lack of affordable housing are resulting in more people going hungry and being forced to sleep on the streets or in their cars during freezing conditions.

"Payments have dropped to support the homeless in motels - have ceased or eased quite significantly - and rent has gone up for people in properties, though nothing else has. It's just a recipe for more people to be in crisis," she said.

The situations leading to homelessness and food insecurity are varied - from single people who have lost jobs, relationships and then their homes to families who simply cannot afford to buy food on top of all their other expenses.

For years generously donated food from the Ballarat community and businesses has allowed volunteers to serve up free hot meals to the region's homeless and financially struggling five nights each week.

With COVID safe plans in place, this included throughout the pandemic.

"You don't need to be homeless to come and get some food [from the Soup Bus]. We don't ask any questions," Ms Trusler said.

Ms Trusler thanked the community for the generous number of food donations lately - from children collecting donations at school to businesses.

"We want to say a big thank you to the community. We wouldn't be in the position that we are if we didn't have the amazing response we have from them.

"Ballarat is incredibly generous."

Though even after their meals, many still shiver through the cold Ballarat nights.

Ms Trusler said Soup Bus volunteers were currently trying to find warm clothing for the homeless.

They have adequate supplies of neck warmers, gloves and beanies but are in dire need of large jackets and thermal socks.

To help men keep warm, thermal socks in all sizes and warm waterproof jackets in large sizes (large, x large and xx large) are being sought.

The volunteers direct women and children in need of clothing to Eureka Mums.

Donations can be dropped off at "the container" - the corner of Fussell and Eureka streets - on Wednesdays (from 9.30am until 11am) or on the first and third Saturday of the month.

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