Fifty three (yes – 53) families came for assistance from our agency, last Thursday.

In a 1-2 hour period, our staff and volunteers ran from one storage spot to another, as we attempted to provide basic food supplies for these families, who are struggling to provide the basic necessities in their home.

The largest group expressing financial hardship are

• aged between 35-39
• women account for 58%
• 32% are sole parents
• the most common form of housing for the families was private rental (43%)
• 95% of families were receiving some sort of Centrelink payment
• 58% had experienced a decrease in wages or hours.

A comment from a family recently “If you’re poor or ill or in CRISIS which is often the case……..you haven’t got the energy and the head space to make the best decisions”.

The major expenses nominated by families as contributing to their
financial hardship were……… gas and electricity costs (12%)  phone
Costs (10%) petrol (10%) food (90%) rent (8%) water costs (7%)
Car maintenance (7%) public transport (6%) doctor/hospital expenses (5%).

Here at the Dingley Village Community Advice Bureau we attempt to
provide basic food items for these families.  We can only do this
Because of the generous donations we  receive, and our own fundraising
activities.

We have a fund raising program planned for Christmas 2009, called
“Fill a Fridge for Christmas”
We are asking both individuals/organisations/groups to consider donating $99 to us, which will enable us to
“Fill a Fridge for Christmas”



Marion Harriden OAM
Social Worker