Charities who benefit from The Examiner's Winter Relief Appeal have said the generosity and donations from the community are crucial to helping the homeless.
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The appeal, now in its 63rd year, aims to support the work of St Vincent de Paul Society, the Salvation Army, City Mission, and the Launceston Benevolent Society by raising money.
St Vincent de Paul Society chief executive Lara Alexander said this year's winter had been particularly difficult for those doing it tough.
"What we are seeing is a slight increase in the number of people accessing our soup vans and dining programs, as well as more coming into our offices seeking assistance," she said.
Ms Alexander said she had also seen an increase in those who had never sought assistance before, but now needed it.
Those increases were not only seen by St Vincent de Paul, but also by the Salvation Army.
"We have certainly seen a rise in homelessness in our community here, unfortunately," Salvation Army Doorways regional manager Anita Reeve said.
"When the supplements were rolled back and rentals went up, we have just seen a lot of those at the bottom end squeezed back out."
Launceston Benevolent Society chief executive Rodney Spinks said the organisation had seen people in the community suffer particularly from rental stress.
"There's a mixture of issues out there," he said.
"We rely on the funding of appeals to continue our services."
City Mission saw a rise in the number of those coming to them who had been struggling with rental increases.
Chief executive Stephen Brown said the appeal would be a direct relief for those they were helping.
The Winter Relief Appeal has a target of $75,000 this year, with donations currently sitting at $63,789.
"The Winter Appeal that The Examiner has been conducting this year is going to be vital," Ms Alexander said.
"Obviously organisations like St Vincent de Paul have not been able to fundraise as much as we would have in the past."
Ms Alexander said small businesses in the community had not had the same capacity to support charities, with many still feeling the effects of the pandemic.
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Therefore, the generosity of the community has been seen by charities as crucial now more than ever.
"Every single dollar [donated] is going to be used to support those people who find themselves in trouble," Ms Alexander said.
"You can't put a value [on the generosity], it's absolutely essential."
Mr Brown said community contribution was what enabled City Mission to expand what they could do to help others.
Donations to last year's appeal reached an all-time high, smashing the target of $70,000 with a total of $119,334.
"We know the community is always very generous in Tasmania," Mr Spinks said.
"We hope people will reach out and help."
Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
