Feeling the strain

By Lia Bichel
SALVATION Army officers across Melbourne’s south east are under pressure from the region’s growing demands for everyday needs.
Staff at Salvation Army centres in Dandenong, Cranbourne, Berwick and Pakenham have spoken out about the lack of resources and funds to keep pace with the increasing requests for help.
Besides donating food and blankets, the Salvation Army provides a range of services including crisis accommodation, support for families in need , telephone counselling, bereavement support services, addiction recovery support, emergency services and employment help.
The only funding for resources comes from the Red Shield Appeal and from local organisations and residents.
Major Stephen Ellis, who runs the Dandenong Salvation Army with his wife Marjory, said the rise of prices for numerous things including utilities, food and petrol were all contributing to the growing problem.
“People come in needing petrol money or money for a train ticket. Some people need a motel for the night.” Major Ellis said.
“We try not to turn people away but sometimes we don’t have the resources available.”
Captain Peta Pittaway from the Salvation Army in Berwick said the centre was also unable to help everyone in need.
“People pay their mortgage first, then they are unable to pay their gas bill or phone bill – but we can’t pay it all,” she said.
“Increased interest rates, rising prices of necessities and the global financial crisis really knocked a few people off their feet. More and more people are coming in and while there are some people with drug or alcohol addictions, there are many middle class families that are needing our help.
“And it’s really heart-breaking when there are children involved.”
Captain Kelvin Young from the Salvation Army in Cranbourne said the centre depended on community support.
“We have no government funding, so all of our support comes from the Red Shield Appeal. It’s a huge fund-raiser for us,” he said.
In Pakenham, Lieutenant Sonia Jeffrey said it was not a case of people “mishandling” money, rather a case of people “doing it tough.”
“We have helped a few families with their furniture needs after the floods. While the floods has had some impact on families, I think the price of serious needs, such as surgeries and complex medications for children, are placing big demands on families,” she said.
“Some people don’t have a disposable income; some people are losing their jobs. In Cardinia, we see such a huge need from families who are living on a tight budget or suffering from mortgage stress.”
The Salvation Army’s Major Bram Cassidy said more than 2.2million people were believed to live in poverty, including 12 per cent of Australian children.
More than 45,000 young Australians are homeless every night and about 60,000 women and children need refuge from domestic violence each year.
Major Cassidy said the Salvation Army hoped to raise $79 million this year.
The Salvos will be knocking on doors across the nation on 28 and 29 May, but people can donate anytime at www.salvationarmy.org.au
People can also donate at any Westpac branch or post a cheque to PO Box 9888 in their capital city.
There will also be a stall set up at the Dandenong Plaza on 23 May to 27 May and at the Keysborough Parkmore Shopping Centre on 30 May to 3 June where people can donate money or learn more about the Salvation Army.