Vol. No. Vol. 2518No. 1727
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Wednesday, October January 26, 13, 2022 2016 Wednesday,
MEMORIES: Laharum Primary School students Jayden Uebergang, Troy Winfield and Eden Kelly-Anderson are preparing to celebrate their beloved school’s 135-year anniversary with its eldest former student, Hugh Russell, 88, next month. The group have the important job of lifting a time capsule buried in 1987 during the school’s centenary celebration containing special memories and historic items from the school and community members. Full story, page 19. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Increasing calls for help M
BY ABBY WALTER
ore Wimmera residents are reaching out for help with food and utilities as living costs continue to rise.
Horsham Christian Emergency Food Centre client assessment manager Bev Miatke said the number of people seeking support at the centre was increasing. “It peaks and flows. Two weeks ago it was one of the busiest weeks we’d had and then last week was average, but generally people are finding things more difficult,” she said. “We are seeing new clients, so people seeking help is on an upward trend. “Finding accommodation is difficult,
with people staying in their cars or being placed in motels.” Ms Miatke said many people were finding it hard to afford living expenses and people with limited incomes were finding it tougher. “We’re seeing more people become flummoxed by the rising prices of fuel and other commodities,” she said. “When prices rise, people usually adjust their spending by using cheaper brands or forgoing speciality items. When it gets past that and they can’t feed their families, they come to us.” Ms Miatke said she was also seeing more people request help with paying utility bills. “We can’t pay someone’s bill in full, but we can advocate for them and help with utility grants,” she said.
to see more and more people coming to us.” The Red Shield Appeal funds the community meal, run every Tuesday from noon. “When we do the lunch, we cook enough to be able to pack leftovers into containers to freeze for workers to regularly give out,” Mr Sutton said. “We almost emptied the freezer a few weeks ago, so we have reloaded that now. The idea is that if those meals are there and the food centre is closed, they can still access assistance. “We’re not working alone; we refer to the food centre and they refer to us.” Mrs Sutton said there was an increase in people seeking assistance for housing as well.
“People are eligible every two years for a $650 payment to pay gas, electricity and water bills. “People don’t know that sort of help is available and we want to make sure no one has their utilities switched off.” Horsham Salvation Army captains Tracy and Chris Sutton said they had noticed the cost of running weekly community lunches had increased. “It’s costing $150 to $200 for food for the lunches and it has never cost that before,” Mrs Sutton said. “We’re doing as much as we can, but we have noticed steady numbers of people coming to the meals. “We think it’s going to continue to increase – especially with the floods and potential for fruit and vegetables going up in price again. We are going
“I was talking to our housing manager and she said she had noticed a lot more referrals for working poor,” she said. “This means people who have jobs, but are struggling to make ends meet and maintain rentals. “We have people who work with those who could be on the brink of homelessness, people who have the potential to be evicted, and they help to keep them in their house. “People aren’t getting the same assistance as they were during COVID, so more people are coming to the Salvos, food centre and housing team saying I need help.” A new report from Uniting outlined the impact of the rising cost of living. Continued page 3
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