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Close to one in two Australian families are concerned that they won’t be able to put food on the table this Christmas, according to figures from a recent survey commissioned by the St Vincent de Paul Society.

New survey reveals cost-of-living struggles in lead up to Christmas 

New survey reveals cost of living struggles this Christmas

Across the nation, 62 per cent of Australians say cost-of-living pressures are making it difficult to plan or think about Christmas celebrations, with more than half (53 per cent) agreeing that they expect to experience financial stress during the festive season.
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 who are facing a difficult festive season.
The survey findings are also reflected on a local level.
In WA, Vinnies took more than 58,000 calls for assistance at its Emergency Assistance and Support Centre in Canning Vale over the past year, with the total number of calls up by more than 15 per cent compared to the previous year.
Vinnies WA CEO Ann Curran said the rise in calls for help represents the real struggle many West Australians have faced in the past year.
“The demand for our support services, particularly for Emergency Assistance, is greater than ever before,” Ms Curran said.
Christmas isn’t the only time of year where people are struggling – survey findings show that nearly one in three (32 per cent) Australians admit to skipping meals or going without food in the past 12 months just to be able to afford other essentials such as rent or electricity.
This figure is also reflected in the hundreds of calls received each week at Vinnies WA’s Service Centre.
“From the calls we take, we are noticing a growing trend of people who need rent assistance,” Ms Curran said.
“Not only are people struggling to pay their rent, but they don’t have enough money left at the end of the week to buy essentials such as food and medication.
“Sadly, having to forgo an essential like medication or food just to get by is the harsh reality for many West Australians.
“It is something that our Members, Volunteers and Staff hear every day through our Emergency Assistance programs and across our Support Centres.
"With the cost of living continuing to rise, peoples’ struggles will deepen, which fuels more demand for what we do.”
St Vincent de Paul Society WA State President Danny Cloghan said every dollar raised in the Christmas Appeal will make a real difference for WA families in need this Christmas.
“As a caring community, we should ensure that WA families do not go without this Christmas,” Mr Cloghan said.
“Your generosity will go towards helping poor and vulnerable West Australians find hope and relief during what should be a happy time of the year.”
This year, Vinnies WA is partnering with <a href="https://www.iga.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IGA</a> to offer packs of 10 Christmas gift tags for $3.30, with proceeds going towards helping people in need this festive season.
Collection boxes for non-perishable food items and toiletries will also be available at selected IGA stores which will go towards hampers for families who are doing it tough this Christmas.
Donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible, and every dollar stays local to support people in need across Western Australia.
Donate to Vinnies Christmas Appeal <a href="https://donate.vinnies.org.au/christmas-appeal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

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