More single men and older women are requiring emergency relief in the Northern Midlands in a trend one Longford-based organisation says is reflected across a number of others in the region.
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"There has been a change in the last year or so with the demographics," said Helping Hand president Barbara Baker. "We now have more single people than families."
Providing assistance to approximately 230 clients across the Northern Midlands, those in need now tend to be men aged 18 to 35 and pension-aged women, Ms Baker said. There are many finding themselves homeless in the town, too.
"We meet up three-monthly with the other emergency relief organisations, like City Mission and St Vincent de Paul, and we find it's a constant throughout everyone," she added. "It's been the same with all of the other organisations as well."
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In order to meet the heightened need of those in the community during the colder winter months, the organisation has for the past three years run a winter food drive with Roberts Real Estate.
"We also see the stress that some households experience over winter," said the Longford branch's manager and director David Headlam, noting higher energy bills in particular. "Everything that is donated goes back into the immediate community and all labour is supplied by volunteers."
"It might be your next-door neighbour that's benefiting from what's going on."
With donation bins scattered around the region, an afternoon of music and entertainment is also being put on this year under the direction of Don Ives. The $10 admission fee - which includes lucky door prizes and afternoon tea - is directed back to the work of Helping Hand.
The organisation was formed by the collective Anglican, Baptist, Catholic and Uniting churches of the region in 1992. It offers a free service to residents of Longford, Perth, Cressy, Poatina, Bishopsbourne and the surrounding rural areas.
Counselling and food hampers are provided, along with assistance handling energy bills and pharmacy visits, and petrol to make appointments. It also provides a space for legal literacy programs, employment agencies and Centrelink officers for those unable to travel
The musical event will take place from 2pm on July 27 at the Riverlands Centre, Longford.
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