It's been a challenging few months for Tasmanian charities, but winter is expected to be even tougher for their vulnerable clients.
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COVID-19 restrictions have forced the closure of many shopfronts and drop-in services, while at the same time limiting the abilities of volunteers to help those most in need.
This, compounded with rising job losses, financial hardship and family pressures is why The Examiner's 2020 Winter Relief Appeal is shaping up to be the most important fundraising effort in its 62-year history.
Supporting Northern Tasmanian charities City Mission, the Salvation Army, the Launceston Benevolent Society and St Vincent de Paul, the target for this year's appeal has been set at $70,000.
As they adapt to easing restrictions, Vinnies' state president Mark Gaetani said charities were now bracing for a very tough winter.
"It's been difficult for St Vincent de Paul on a number of fronts, primarily because we have had to close all of our retails stores," he said.
"We've lost a significant amount of revenue because of that, although we have just started to open some of our stores in the last week.
"We have been able to manage in terms of still being able to provide our emergency relief. But we have used cash reserves to maintain that service to the companions and clients we see on a regular basis."
Mr Gaetani said the past few weeks had been particularly busy for the charity, with more than 50 new clients presenting to its Hobart services last week alone. He said temporary visa holders and overseas students were some of the demographic hardest hit by the pandemic.
"We are certainly seeing an increase in need and we are expecting that increase in need will actually become more profound as the months and the economic symptoms start to kick in," he said. "We have also seen the demand increase in Launceston and our North-West regions too. But the majority of overseas students, many who have become stranded, are living in Hobart. There are many temporary visa holders that we are helping too."
For the past few months, Launceston Benevolent Society has been focused on its food relief services, with moves to re-open clothing and furniture services now in the works. However, the charity's volunteers have also been hit hard.
"A lot of our volunteers fall into that COVID-19 vulnerable category," chief executive Rodney Spinks said.
"So they have been self-isolating and staying at home. We are now looking at how we can bring some of them back while keeping the workplace safe.
"We have had to modify the way we do things. A lot of our more vulnerable clients haven't been coming out, so we've been doing some outreach to them and some home deliveries. But the normal needs of winter are always here with us."
Similarly, when lockdown laws came into effect in March, City Mission was among those who had to close its shops. Many staff were also stood down until support through the government's JobKeeper program was secured.
Chief executive Stephen Brown said they needed to reevaluate how they connected with their clients.
"We have, in recent weeks, been able to bring staff back and get the shops operating a source of income again," he said.
"With the easing of restrictions, we are seeing a lot more people starting to come back and see us. Particularly when we opened up our dining rooms.
"As JobSeeker and JobKeeper finish at the end of September, during this period there is going to be a lot of unknowns for us.
"So we are seeking the community of Launceston to be as generous as they have in the past and support this appeal, so there is a better flow for what is reported to be a very cold winter."
Funds raised through the Winter Relief Appeal will go directly towards the charity's emergency relief funds.
Salvation Army area officer Kevin Lumb said the demand for services was expected to increase significantly over the coming months.
"We are anticipating that as restrictions are lifted ... there will be people who come of JobKeeper, those who have become unemployed, those on visas, and we are going to see a significant increase in demand," he said.
"Yet, through this time, our common funding sources, such as thrift shops, have been curtailed.
"While they are beginning to reopen, we know the support from this appeal is going to be significant in helping us with our service delivery."
Since its inception more than six decades ago, the Winter Relief Appeal has helped raise more than $3 million. The Examiner's acting editor Corey Martin said he had no doubt the Northern Tasmanian community would once again get behind the worthy cause.
"We know that times are tough for many people at the moment, but our sense of community has never been greater," he said.
"This appeal is testament to the generosity of Northern Tasmanians and their willingness to help those most in need."
Where to find Winter Relief collection tins:
Kings Meadows Newsagency; Meadow Mews News; Prospect Market Place News; Norwood Newsagency; Classified Reception Office; Invermay Newsagency; Racecourse Cres News; Mowbray Market Place News; Brisbane St News and Lotto; Charles St Central Newsagency; Trevallyn Newsagency; Riverside News and Lotto; Legana News and Lotto; Freelands IGA and Lotto; Beaconsfield Newsagency; Longford Newsagency; Perth IGA and Newsagency; Cressy IGA and Newsagency; Hadspen News and Post; Westbury IGA and Post; Deloraine Newsagency; NewsXpress George Town; Newstead Newsagency.