Spike in families frantic for help, says Sally Army

Hastings Salvation Army Family Store manager Trevor Gane helps organise second-hand clothing. Photo / Duncan Brown

Food and clothes are in hot demand as some locals struggle to meet their basic needs as the festive season begins.

People calling out for help in Hawke's Bay had increased 21.5 per cent on last year's figures, the Napier Salvation Army reported recently. This is more than three times the national increase of 7 per cent.

The high demand was a flow-on from other financial stresses Hawke's Bay residents had experienced over the year, Napier Family Centre chief executive Kath Curran said.

The social work support team and budget advisers had seen 451 new clients since July.

Financial hardship, however, often peaked during the Christmas period and Napier Corps Officer Major Alister Irwin said stress and debt were big factors for many families.

Christmas expenses coupled with back-to-school pressures were difficult for those living "pay-cheque to pay-cheque ", he said.

"Housing costs and security of housing are major concerns and many families' incomes are consumed by rent, electricity and other bills, with food becoming the expendable in the weekly budget."

Many people were struggling to make their income stretch to the bare necessities such as sufficient food and clothing.

Those facing dire situations often turned to steep loans which crippled them the following year.

"At this time of the year we caution people to be careful when taking out loans, there are many lenders still not adhering to the responsible lending guidelines," Ms Curran said.

"We've seen interest rates of 627 per cent per annum on some payday loans and of course it's not advertised as that rate."

As Hawke's Bay has a lot of seasonal workers, these families with an insecure income and long breaks between seasons needed to manage their money even more carefully, she said.

"We'd love to see more people before the crisis hits."

Financial literacy and education for fragile families was also a big focus for the Salvation Army.

Other longer-term support included emergency housing, employment training, counselling, addiction treatment, and a range of parenting, life skills and personal development services.

People can donate by phone, online, or choose a gift from new campaign, Gifts of Hope.

The campaign allows people to choose a gift for a family in need. Options include a Starting School Kit to provide essentials like new shoes and a lunch box, a Snuggle Pack with a warm duvet and pyjamas to keep a child healthy, and a wrapped Christmas gift.

"You cannot help everyone, but everyone can help someone," Mr Irwin said. "Knowing you have helped a family put a roast meal on the table, presents under the tree and that you're also equipping them with the tools to start the New Year in a good space is a special contribution to a season when we want to think about others and not just ourselves."

How you can help

Call 0800 53 00 00.

Donate online at salvationarmy.org.nz.

Make a coin donation at Countdown supermarkets.

Select a gift from The Salvation Army Gifts of Hope catalogue (salliesgiftsofhope.org)