Christmas may be the time of good cheer but in Gunnedah, as in every other part of the world, there will be people struggling to feel the Christmas spirit.
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The Salvation Army says the festive season can be a difficult time for people who are alone, facing hard times or struggling financially.
In Gunnedah, 40 families have already registered for help this Christmas.
The Salvation Army will provide them with hampers, vouchers and gifts for younger children.
Families in Gunnedah Shire can register up until the end of November.
“Society has changed its expectations of Christmas,” Gunnedah’s Salvation Army Lieutenant David Grounds said.
“It is much more materialistic than it used to be.
“People feel they have to compete with the neighbours. I think the materialism destroys the feeling of Christmas, which is people getting together and celebrating the good news about Jesus.”
Nationally, the Salvation Army expects to help more than 300,000 Australians in need this Christmas.
“Poverty and financial hardship can be extremely isolating experiences,” Mr Grounds said.
“This can hit home even more during the Christmas and new year period.
“Whilst people are gathering to enjoy time with family and friends for the celebrations, some people cannot afford to even buy a gift, get together with friends, or go on any kind of holiday.
“We know that the Salvo Care Line gets more calls in the period during and after Christmas than at any other time of year. Last year in January, there was an 18 per cent increase in calls to Salvo Care Line.”
He said the emphasis on gifts could lead to further financial strife for families as they struggled to pay Christmas bills.
“People need to reassess the meaning of Christmas,” he said.
“It is not going to be the end of the world if your child doesn’t get as big a gift as the neighbour’s kid.
“If people get into financial stress or trouble that lasts the whole year, it defeats the purpose.”
People who want to help give another family a good Christmas can donate to the Salvation Army
Christmas Appeal on 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or online at salvos.org.au/Christmas
Anyone who needs support can call the free 24-hour-a-day counselling service, the Salvo Care Line, on 1300 363 622.
