There are many reasons why people turn to City Mission for assistance during tough times.
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According to a report, published in 2016 by the Australian Council of Social Services, Tasmania has a poverty rate of about 14.2 per cent.
The report declared poverty exists when "a household's income is so inadequate as to preclude them from having an acceptable standard of living".
City Mission is at the coalface of the fight to improve living standards and ensure Launceston residents have enough food and materials to survive.
The service has joined forces with The Examiner for Mission Possible, a six-week campaign aiming to collect 5000 food donations for winter.
City Mission chief executive Stephen Brown said the organisation was part of the federal government’s response to poverty through emergency relief assistance.
“We’re the major provider in Launceston but there are some other large ones,” Mr Brown said.
Mission Possible aims to see businesses, schools and community groups competing to buy and donate as many non-perishable items to City Mission as possible.
The donations go towards helping the organisation continue its vital service.
Mr Brown said people who approached City Mission met with staff, who assessed their situation and determined a course of action.
“There will be a lot of people on a fixed income, pensioners and social security,” he said.
“People could be working part time or be underemployed.
“There’s been something that has knocked them to the point they’ve got no other answer.”
City Mission’s trained workers speak with people about their economic and family scenario.
The can then help sort out financial problems and put together a plan to move forward.
People are often immediately assisted with cash or tokens to allow access to the City Mission store.
Donate food items to City Mission at 48 Frederick Street in Launceston.