St Vincent de Paul Society members supported 4,500 people across the New England North West in the past year, and three in four of them needed help with food.
The local figures come as new national research shows more than half of Australians are now buying less food than they would like because of rising grocery costs.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, found four in five Australians (83 per cent) are spending more on groceries than they were 12 months ago.
More than half (55 per cent) say financial pressures have forced them to buy less food than they would ideally like, and the same share say it has become harder to keep their household stocked with essentials.
“A weekly grocery shop doesn’t go as far as it used to,” said St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO Yolanda Saiz.
“The price of almost everything has increased, but many household budgets simply haven’t kept pace.”
The pressure is being felt at every income level. Households earning less than $50,000 (82 per cent), $50,000 to $99,000 (82 per cent), $100,000 to $149,000 (83 per cent), and more than $150,000 (87 per cent) all said they were spending more on groceries than a year ago.
Women were more likely than men to say they were buying less food (61 per cent compared with 47 per cent).
Across NSW, requests for food assistance through Vinnies have risen by 5 per cent over the past year.
“It’s heartbreaking to hear from parents who are skipping meals so their children can eat,” Ms Saiz said.
“No parent should have to make that choice, yet for many households it has become a reality.”
Statewide, the society supported more than 106,000 people through its members in the past year, providing more than $9.7 million in food-related help through hampers, supermarket vouchers, and Christmas hampers.
Food assistance is one of the most common reasons people seek help, accounting for nearly three in four people (73 per cent) assisted by local members.
“Every day we are meeting with people who have already cut back everything they can,” Ms Saiz said.
“There is simply nothing left to give.”
“When households are buying less food and struggling to keep basic essentials stocked at home, it doesn’t take much for a financial setback to become a crisis.”
The society relies on community support to meet growing demand.
“In cities and regional communities alike, we’re seeing people who never imagined they would need assistance now reaching out for help with basic essentials,” said St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President Peter Houweling.
“Our members and volunteers are helping families put food on the table, providing practical support and reminding people that they don’t have to face these challenges alone.”
Vinnies is asking people who can help to support its Hampers of Care appeal. A donation of $89 can provide a household with a hamper of essential food and grocery items, delivered by a volunteer connected to the local community.
“Making a donation is a small action that makes an immediate impact for someone in their time of need,” Mr Houweling said.
“Your donation means that someone will have food on the table tonight.”
The online survey of 1,049 Australians aged 18 and over was conducted by YouGov from 3 to 6 September.
Donations to the Vinnies Hampers of Care appeal can be made at nsw.vinnies.org.au/hampersofcare. All donations are tax deductible.
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