A Salvation Army lunch for families doing it tough this Christmas

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Christmas came early in Brisbane where the Salvation Army fed hundreds at their annual festive lunch. It follows new research which revealed more Australians are doing it tough over the holiday season.

Transcript

00:00A Christmas celebration for those that need it most.

00:06It is very, very tight financially, so today getting a free lunch and everything is really helpful.

00:13500 people sat down to the three-course meal put on by the Salvation Army.

00:18It makes me feel like I belong and I'm accepted and everything else like that,

00:22so it's making me feel really, really happy that everybody's getting together

00:24so they can have the companionship and the love and the joy.

00:27For some, it was the only Christmas lunch they'll have this year.

00:31They're making choices about whether to buy food or to pay for utilities or even pay their rent,

00:37and so a special lunch or Christmas presents usually doesn't happen for them.

00:44Research commissioned by the Salvos has found almost half of Australians are worried about

00:49how they'll afford the festive period this year.

00:52More than 20% fear their children will miss out on presents,

00:56and 19% will go without food to cover costs.

01:00It's a bit of a struggle. I'm on a pension, so days like this are so important

01:04where you can't have some good food and don't have to worry about it.

01:07There's about 8% of Australians are seeking a charity to get through the difficult times

01:12financially and housing, and about half of those people are the first time ever.

01:17So it's a pretty devastating snapshot of what's happening.

01:20For organisers and volunteers, the event's a way to give back.

01:24There are people that I've spoken to that have come in today that are going to leave the lunch,

01:30and they're not going to a home.

01:32You need a break from reality when your reality's not that good.

01:35A visit from Santa topped off the day, bringing smiles to those young and old.

01:40A visit from Santa's Obes Josh and orange to 19% and old.

01:42But the mayor is still Estados and old.

01:44אף

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