August 20th 2024.
According to a new report, a staggering 3.7 million households in Australia have faced the challenge of struggling to put food on the table in the past 12 months. The report, released by AtWork Australia, also shared that between August 2022 and February 2023, with inflation at a 33-year high, 53 per cent of Australians have faced difficulties in affording basic needs such as food and shelter. As a result, AtWork Australia, an employment services provider, reported a significant increase in the number of Australians seeking their support, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to persist.
Their clients have been facing various challenges, including the need to work extra hours in order to make ends meet and a noticeable decrease in recruitment opportunities. This has led to many individuals who have never had to rely on such services before, now turning to them for assistance. One such person is Klara, a 58-year-old woman from NSW who recently sought help from AtWork Australia and Dress for Success, after struggling to find employment due to past abuse. Thanks to their support, she was able to secure a job as a cleaner at multiple sites, which she loves. Klara expressed her gratitude, stating that AtWork Australia provided her with the guidance and resources she needed to find a job that aligns with her skills and aspirations. She also praised Dress for Success for providing her with quality pre-loved clothing, styling, and presentation skills for job interviews.
Will Hawes, from Will2Live, an organization that provides accommodation support and resources for families, single parents, and those facing homelessness, noted a significant increase in demand for their services. Similarly, OzHarvest, a food rescue organization, reported that 75 per cent of the charities they support have seen a rise in demand in the last six months. According to Julia Grove, the Executive of OzHarvest Partnerships, the cost-of-living crisis is causing many individuals to reach their breaking point, with people from all walks of life seeking food relief, many for the first time. She encouraged those in need to seek help, reminding them that they are not alone.
OzHarvest delivers around 500,000 meals every week to families in need across Australia. This alarming increase in demand for food aid comes less than a year after Foodbank's annual hunger report highlighted Australia's food security crisis. The report revealed that the main driver of food insecurity is the cost-of-living crisis, with 77 per cent of households citing it as the primary reason. These statistics paint a sobering picture of the current state of many households in Australia, and it is clear that urgent action is needed to address the cost-of-living crisis and support those who are struggling to put food on the table.
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