One and four Australian parents fear their children will not receive a present this Christmas, with more than two million worried about feeding their kids this holiday.
New research from The Salvation Army also found almost a third of Aussies will struggle to pay their rent or mortgage over Christmas.
Major Bruce Harmer said the organisation was expecting this holiday season to be the toughest in the Salvo’s 140-year history.
Major Harmer said the new research showed 6.3 million Australians (29.9 percent) would struggle to pay their rent or mortgage this Christmas, and one in five (21 percent) would be forced to forgo medical help to afford Christmas this year.
“Almost one in four Australians (24 percent) are concerned that their children will miss out on presents this Christmas,” he said.
“Moreover, 2.5 million (12 percent) are worried their children will miss out on food, and 1.2 million (5.7 percent) won’t even talk about Christmas with their children because they can’t afford it.”
Major Harmer said the survey also found that 1.9 million Australians (9.3 percent) would be reaching out to a charity for help this Christmas, with more than 54 percent of these people doing so for the first time.
He said the survey also found 17.4 percent of Australians would go into debt this Christmas and 35.8 percent would have less people over on Christmas Day due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“People have been experiencing hardship throughout the year, and for many it has been going on for years on end.
“We know that Christmas time only exacerbates the pressure on individuals and families, which is why we think that this will likely be the hardest Christmas in the Salvos’ 140-year history.”
Major Harmer said during last year’s Christmas period The Salvation Army was able to provide over 330,000 gifts and toys for families in need, 184,000 meals to people experiencing homelessness, and more than 92,000 bed nights for families needing accommodation during the festive season.
“But there is real hope. We see hope in those who have the courage to reach out to us for help, and we see hope in the continued generosity of the Australian public who, year after year, stand alongside the Salvos to help those in need. This Christmas, if you can, please donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal,” he said.
To donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal visit the website or phone 13 SALVOS (13 72 58). Donations can also be made at any Salvos Store.
