Festive season a struggle for millions, survey reveals

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for millions of Australians, it’s fast becoming the hardest. 

A new survey commissioned by the St Vincent de Paul Society reveals that cost-of-living pressures are threatening to turn the festive season into a time of stress rather than celebration, with more than half (53 percent) of Victorians feeling financial stress leading into Christmas. 

Across the country, 62 percent of Australians say that cost-of-living pressures are making it difficult to plan or think about festive season celebrations. Alarmingly, almost half (49 percent) of Australian families with children under 18 were concerned about just being able to put food on the table this Christmas. 

The findings come as the St Vincent de Paul Society launches its annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal, calling on Australians to help bring hope, comfort and dignity to families facing a difficult Christmas. 

In Victoria, the situation reflects the national trend, with more than a third (37 percent) of households worried about providing food this Christmas. 

Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM, Group CEO St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria said, “As we approach the Christmas season, more and more families across Victoria are feeling the impact of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, struggling to cover essentials like food, rent, and utilities. What should be a time of celebration has become a time of real hardship for many.”

But it’s not only Christmastime when people are hurting; almost one in three (32 percent) Australians admit they’ve skipped meals or gone without food in the past 12 months to afford other essentials, such as rent or electricity. 

“Sadly, this survey confirms what our members, volunteers and employees are seeing every day. Over the past year, we’ve witnessed a staggering increase in requests for support, with families who have never asked for help before are suddenly finding themselves stretched to the limit and needing the basics just to get by.” Dr. Fitzgerald said.

In the last financial year, the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s Welfare Assistance Call Centre (1800 305 330) received 67,363 calls for assistance within metropolitan Melbourne. 6,153 people were calling in need of assistance for the first time. The need for food assistance is growing rapidly. Last year, six out of every ten calls to the Welfare Assistance line were seeking food assistance. This year, nine out of every ten calls are from people seeking food assistance, a 50 per cent increase in just one year. 

Melbourne’s South East has seen a 30 per cent increase in demand for soup van assistance. In the last year, 222,252 Victorians were served at Vinnies Soup Vans in Metropolitan Melbourne and regionally, providing 686,913 meals.  

“This year, we’re calling on Victorians who can afford it, to donate to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal and help us provide nutritious meals, and vital assistance to local families who need a helping hand this Christmas.” 

“Every dollar raised will help vulnerable Victorians find hope and relief during what should be the happiest time of the year. Your generosity could be your greatest gift this Christmas.” Dr. Fitzgerald said.

Donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible, and every dollar stays local to support people in need in Victoria. To donate, visit: Vinnies Christmas Appeal. 

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