Local centres report unprecedented demand for services and assistance
By Sonia Isaacs
LOCAL Neighbourhood Centres say they have experienced a sharp increase in the numbers of families and homeless people in the community seeking assistance as the holiday season approaches.
With a multitude of factors including the cost of living crisis, affordable housing stress and rising cases of domestic and family violence; local neighbourhood centres and outreach services are doing all they can to support people in need, and bring a little joy to those experiencing tough times this Christmas.
Ann Husband from Morris House, Landsborough said their neighbourhood centre had seen a huge increase in people presenting as homeless, and more families fronting up to the centre requiring assistance.
“This is the worst I’ve seen it in the 25 years I’ve been with the centre. People are definitely struggling more than normal, and we are seeing a large increase in people coming in,” Ms Husband said.
“We’ve also noticed many more homeless sleeping rough in our parks. It’s really bad; we are now seeing more and more people sleeping in their cars and half our local parks are full of people.”
To help ease the load, Morris House has been offering Christmas hampers and toys from generous donations supplied by local organisations including the Landsborough Seventh day Adventist Church who donated 19 food hampers, the local Anglican food bank and the Mooloolah Community Centre.
“We hope these donations can make Christmas feel a little more like it should for people in our community doing it tough,” Ms Husband said. Julie Clark, Volunteer coordinator at Glass House Mountains Neighbourhood Centre acknowledged that their centre was also seeing an increase in numbers requiring emergency relief.
“People really are struggling and we are seeing more people in need than ever before for one reason or another,” Ms Clark said. “The struggle doesn’t end just because it’s Christmas.
“It can be difficult to ask for help, and people can feel embarrassed. We want our community to know that we don’t judge – and that everyone is welcome.”
Alena Hand from the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre (MNC) said their neighbour assist program was being strongly utilised. She said MNC was seeing an influx of families through the door seeking support.
“We are seeing more people saying they just need some extra support to get through the Christmas period,” she said. “People are coming in who are finding it difficult to pay bills or to have enough to buy food – it’s obviously very stressful, and we are here to help,” Ms Hand said.
Ms Hand said due to demand MNC would be distributing around 50 hampers this year to people in need. While MNC will shut from 3pm December 24 (though open for free community Christmas breakfast December 25) until January 2, 2025, the 24 hour free food pantry will be available and topped up regularly .