By Laura Michell
Hume residents are being encouraged to make a donation to Uniting’s Food for Families appeal to ease the burden on struggling families ahead of Christmas.
Uniting Vic Tas, which has an office in Broadmeadows, is collecting non-perishable items which will be distributed to families who cannot afford food.
Broadmeadows emergency relief co-ordinator Fiona Fisher said there had been an increase in families seeking help this year.
The office provided more than $140,000 of crisis and emergency support for 1084 families in 2017-18, with 582 people approaching Uniting for help for the first time.
Ms Fisher said most people sought food relief or help with energy bills.
“We are assisting more and more families because of rising rents, mortgage stress, casualisation of the workforce; everything is converging together and making it tougher,” she said.
“For so many people, if they are working it is casual or part-time and the pay rate is not great.”
Ms Fisher said the appeal was important because families often cut back on food.
“If we can provide food relief, they can get their bills back on track knowing they are not going hungry.”
Donations can be dropped off at 413-419 Camp Road, Broadmeadows.
