Supermarkets are gearing up for a busy couple of days as Christmas fast approaches.
But as you splurge on your festive feast this year, spare a thought for the thousands of people who will struggle to celebrate.
More families and individuals, including those in regular work, are seeking food relief – many for the first time in their lives – as their household budgets are stretched due to rent increases, fuel hikes and sky rocketing utility bills.
SecondBite, which rescues food for those in need, is working hard to meet the rising demand and is asking for shoppers to make a small donation when they stock up this year.
The charity’s chief executive Steve Clifford said Christmas is a stressful time for many Australians, even in good times, but it is even tougher this year given the cost pressures and devastating floods.
“With inflation soaring and rents going through the roof, the pressure to put enough food on the table for so many people doing it tough is enormous,” Clifford said.
“We’ve worked really hard over the past few months to ensure we can provide as much additional food support as possible for people in need this Christmas.”
SecondBite said its charity partners had seen particularly large increases in single parent families needing food relief this year, with demand up by 73 per cent on 2021.
News Corp Australia Community Ambassador Penny Fowler is encouraging people to make a donation in these last two shopping days, with every $2 raised proving 10 meals to those in need.
“A great many people are struggling with the rising cost of living,” Ms Fowler said. “As a company we are really proud to support the SecondBite Christmas Appeal and we hope to raise as many funds as possible this Christmas,” she said.
SecondBite Christmas Appeal donation cards are available at Coles check-outs until December 24.