More NZ families face times as recession bites

More New Zealand families face tough times as recession bites

The latest quarterly figures from Salvation Army front-line centres indicate a rapid deterioration in the living situations of low-income New Zealanders.

Each week, the recession forces 40 new households to seek food from The Salvation Army. Demand for food, accommodation, clothing and furniture has risen dramatically compared to a year ago.

More than 12,000 food parcels were distributed in the three months to June, a 40 per cent increase on the same period last year. It is also the first time the number of food parcels distributed by The Salvation Army has exceeded 1000 each week in a three-month period.

"The line at the food bank door is getting longer each week," says Salvation Army Social Services Director Major Campbell Roberts.

Feeding these families means The Salvation Army needs a significant amount of food each week including 2000 loaves of bread, half a tonne of margarine, two tonnes of rice and 4000 tins of baked beans and spaghetti.

Without corporate support and the New Zealand public’s generosity, many families would go without even their most basic nutritional needs, Major Roberts says.

For some people the recession means less investment income and a reduction in the value of their house, which are serious issues. However, for the families The Salvation Army deals with, the recession affects their ability to meet their basic physical needs – food to feed the children, money to pay the rent, and clothing and bedding for warmth in winter.

“As the recession has resulted in a reduction in consumer spending leading to reduced production and business closures, a widening group of families not normally seen by The Salvation Army is now seeking our assistance,” says Major Roberts.

To help meet the increased demand The Salvation Army is seeking ways of increasing its food supply, reviewing the range and geographical spread of its services and ensuring that its food parcels are sufficiently nutritious to support the households seeking help.

• 12,145 food parcels were distributed from The Salvation Army in the three months to June 30 2009, up 39 per cent on the same period in 2008.
• 1240 families received clothing, bedding furniture and other practical assistance, up 29 per cent on 2008.
• 793 clients received budget advice, a 31 per cent increase on 2008.

ENDS

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