New Salvos research surveys Australia’s most vulnerable, with 94% struggling to afford essentials, 63% skipping meals

Ahead of its Red Shield Appeal, the Salvation Army said the need for its services and support is greater than ever before. New research has highlighted the depths of the cost-of-living crisis, with 94 per cent of respondents saying they are struggling to afford essentials, such as housing, groceries, medical care and utilities.

Sixty-three per cent of respondents had skipped meals and 45 per cent had to choose between paying for housing or buying food. Shockingly, the research also found over 1 in 4 (27 per cent) of respondents were forced to consume expired or spoiled food, while 1 in 20 had to eat food from rubbish bins.

The research surveyed 1,500 people who had reached out to the Salvos Doorways financial relief service over a 12-month period. It showed 61 per cent of respondents could not afford to pay their utility bills on time, more than six times the national average of 10 per cent.

In 2023, Salvation Army costs increased 12% to $1.1bn, however donations from the Red Shield Appeal declined from $112m to $94m

The Salvation Army’s Major Brendan Nottle said the numbers were frightening.

“Individuals and families shouldn’t have to make these sorts of decisions, like choosing whether to eat, pay rent or send your kids to the doctor,” he said.

Major Nottle said 92 per cent of respondents said they would not have managed without the help they received from The Salvation Army.