Struggling on

By Shaun Inguanzo
A DANDENONG charity group says it’s shocked to see large numbers of the city’s residents continually struggle to buy food, clothing and basic supplies.
The Dandenong and District Benevolent Society members have had one of their busiest years on record and the board held a special dinner at Dandenong RSL last weekend to honour their work.
Dandenong and District Benevolent Society chairman Jan Wilson said the society helps approximately 300 people each month with furniture, food and clothing supply donations, particularly to new arrivals from strife-torn African countries.
“We have had a very successful year but we are getting busier week after week,” Ms Wilson said.
“Our aim for 2007 is just to help as many people as we can in the community who really need help.”
Ms Wilson said the society was worried its opportunity shop in Dandenong was receiving more business from people who continued to struggle.
“It is amazing how many people from different nationalities come into the shop with enormous (financial) problems,” she said.
“There are a lot of people not doing at all well in today’s affluent society.
“Governments of all persuasions need to closely look at the way they are supporting people who are not making it.”
The society has 32 volunteers, including four people who collect furniture.
“Some people are changing over household furniture and goods and kindly give the older items to us,” Ms Wilson said.
But she urged residents not to give the society junk items.
“We prefer they dispose of them elsewhere, otherwise it costs us in tipping fees,” Ms Wilson said.