Representatives from Launceston City Mission, the Benevolent Society, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul,  Catholic Care,  Uniting Care and Anglicare Tasmania will be holding an information session at the Brisbane Street Mall on Thursday between 11am and 2pm. 

Launceston Benevolant Society CEO John Stewart said the event is aimed at raising awareness for the community’s most vulnerable. 

“We want to encourage anyone who is doing it tough at the moment to come down and talk to someone,” he said.

“We can give them the information they need and point them in the right direction for guidance.”

According to the 2016 Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS ) Poverty in Australia report, three million Australians live in poverty including more than 730,000 children.

Findings from the Salvation Army also revealed that people seeking financial assistance through its Moneycare financial counselling service are in extreme debt, with the average Australian household living with a debt-to-income ratio of up to 190 percent. 

Mr Stewart said that many families are struggling to meet the basic needs of day-to-day life.

“There are many factors including the rising cost of everyday living,” he said.

“People need to know that if they need help, they can go to any of the emergency relief agencies in Launceston. 

“No one will be turned away.”