Gunnedah’s Salvation Army has experienced an increase in the number of people needing help over the past four to six weeks,  for food, paying off fines and no-interest loans to buy essential items. 

Captain Richard Day said it was the lower socio-economic group that was in need, however, there was now a change in demographic happening to include middle-income earners as the cost of living increases.

“It’s a variety of people – families, singles and couples,” Captain Day said. 

“We’re starting to see a bit more of the middle-income families who used to be able to cope, now struggling that little bit because they’re having to stretch their budget that bit further than before.”

In the lead-up to winter, the charity experiences calls for blankets as well as assistance to help pay rising electricity bills. 

It also provides food vouchers, no-interest loans for white goods and essential items, help with paying off fines, and financial advice to assist with budgeting.

Captain Day said he had been with The Salvation Army for eight years and the need to support the needy has increased each year. 

It is the same case for the St Vincent De Paul Society, which has also seen a spike in calls for assistance. 

Retail operations manager Janelle Edger said as the community moves into the winter months, the society has seen more calls for support to help with electricity and gas bills and firewood. 

That’s expected to increase as it becomes colder. 

“When the cold sets in each year, people need the support more quickly than in the summer time. Vinnies’ priority is also to make sure that children of parents in need are kept warm too,” Ms Edgar said. 

She added that the society is always looking for quality donations of clothes, furniture and cash. Furniture is hard to come by in the Gunnedah region but makes a big difference on financial support for people in need.

“The aim of each Vinnies shop, staffed by our wonderful volunteers, is to generate revenue so we can assist people in need. Last year alone in the state we dispersed more than $22 million for people in need.” 

This is also important for middle-income earners who are also starting to do it tough. 

“Regardless of income, we need to be able to help everyone in need at some point in their life.”

St Vincent De Paul Society launched its annual Winter Appeal earlier this month with a focus on homelessness.

Almost 46,000 women are facing homelessness in Australia, however the Society says what is more alarming is the fact that 59  per cent of Australians seeking help from homelessness services are actually women. 

That’s a significantly higher rate than the UK’s 26 per cent and the USA’s 38 per cent.