As volunteer week wraps, Cowra's support services have recognised their staff who are fighting to keep residents fed, clothed and safe.
Cowra Food Hall operates at Cowra Uniting Church on Friday mornings, with residents able to register using healthcare or pension cards, or referrals to gain access to food and household goods at a reasonable cost which the organisation provides 'in a caring and supportive environment and to reduce the anxiety of food insecurity for members of our community.'
Basic household items are readily accessible, but even the Food Hall is feeling the pinch on goods like coffee, eggs and washing detergents - allocated to a 'bonus table' in addition to a general list that clients can choose from, and sold at the cost price that Cowra Food Hall purchases from Food Bank.
"A lot of people don't realise we don't get the food for free, and it has to be purchased from food bank." says Ros Ryan, a volunteer at the Food Hall. Mrs Ryan says that while she tends to go through a lot of bread, cereal and general goods, the need for other perishables like meat and eggs are always rising.
"I've got meat from Skinners, so that we support a local business." says Mrs Ryan, who then sells the produce subsidised to clients who say they have otherwise gone without, "A lot of our clients are saying they haven't been eating red meat," she said.
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Whilst not not unique to Cowra, the pressures on families and individuals are not just felt by those on the fringes. Students, pensioners and those living with a disability or having lost a loved one have found themselves newly vulnerable to requiring the services of of the Hall while the federal government seeks to reign in supermarket prices.
Residents and business alike can help the Food Hall with produce, as well as is the case with many volunteer organisations: people power.
"We definitely need more volunteers," said Mrs Ryan, adding that many of the existing cohort are sporting injuries in an enterprise that requires lifting and moving goods. "A number of us are carrying injuries and there is a lot of lifting. We naturally attract retired volunteers with the time, but we do need some physically fit people to help, particularly on Thursdays because that's when we set up."
Other organisations in Cowra are also fighting the battle against cost of living pressures. Jodi McInnes at the Cowra Salvos echoed the sentiment of a recent Salvation Army release, saying people are skipping meals, sourcing expired food.
"We do see a lot of that, people will try and feed their kids first and then they will go without," she said. "Dumpster diving is a big thing. Borrowing money to be able to buy groceries, and spiralling in debt is common." said Ms McInnes, who added that those living with other issues felt their choices were even more limited.
"The big thing is missing medication, particularly for those living with mental health issues. It's not just that they're hungry, they're hungry and depressed." adding that those without access to basics like food and medication could seek to self medicate.
"There's a hidden cohort in Cowra, where people are under mortgage or rental stress."
Rental and mortgage stress is defined as having your rent or mortgage take over 30% of your income.
Ms McInnes said many of her clients occupy a 'middle space' where they may have mortgage or rental accommodation but due to rising rents, they are spending up to 50% or more of their income on maintaining a roof over their head but are earning 'too much to qualify' for a place like Food Hall, or other support because they are working - but still cannot afford basic medical or dental care.
For families with children, the situation is even more dire, with 62% of parents responding to the Salvo's survey saying they went without food so their kids could eat, 43% couldn’t afford essentials like formula and nappies for their young children, and over a third (36%) struggled to cover the costs of basic non-prescription medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Major Bruce Harmer of the Salvos said “It is truly shocking in a country like Australia that we are seeing these devastating numbers. No one should be forced to eat expired food or to eat out of rubbish bins. The fact that over one in twenty (6%) of those we surveyed said they were eating from dumpsters breaks our heart. Those presenting to us are some of the most marginalised and disadvantaged in our community, and the Salvos are there to not only bridge the gap, but to walk alongside Aussies doing it tough to see real change in their lives, and we need the support of the Australian public to help us do this.”
Cowra Salvos will be collecting outside Aldi at 7th and 8th of June.
