By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SCROLL TO BELOW THIS STORY TO POST A COMMENT.
SPRINGVALE Benevolent Society has run out of blankets, pillows and food as it struggles to help waves of needy families.
It’s the first time the society has had to appeal for new pillows, and it has rarely felt such a shortage of supplies, volunteer and Greater Dandenong councillor Roz Blades said.
Cr Blades has observed a new wave of “working poor” seeking help. “There are families who haven’t had a wage rise for years and are finding it hard to pay the bills.
“Their wages aren’t low enough to attract benefits. They don’t get concessions for pharmaceuticals or rates. And we are really busy in February-March – there’s a lot struggling with back-to-school costs.”
Some families have suffered job losses or are crippled by multiple medical expenses or record-high rents in traditionally affordable suburbs such as $320 asking-prices for three-bedroom rentals in Noble Park.
“It’s really bad. We’re seeing more people, including more families who are moving in together – it might be a relative moves in with a family with three kids, or two families.”
The benevolent society gives out food staples such as long-life milk, rice, flour and canned food, as well as toys, food vouchers and blankets. It gets about 170 calls a month from needy households.
Cr Blades was at a loss to explain why there was such a need for pillows. She told of a homeless family that had saved for a rental home, had beds but no pillows.
Keysborough Friendship Club knits boxloads of blankets for the society but demand is outstripping supply. “We haven’t got any blankets and pillows. There’s just not enough to help the many people we see,” Cr Blades said.
“We’re asking people to go through their cupboards. We buy an extra can of baked beans or soup every week at the supermarket and there’s always food in the cupboard that we think we’ll eat but we don’t.”
To help, call Springvale Benevolent Society on 9546 5558.
