Affording school essentials getting harder for Tasmanian Families

The St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) is expecting a peak in demand for emergency relief services across January and February this year as more and more families struggle with the costs of living when children go back to school.

Vinnies Member Terry Kay has been volunteering for the Society for 20 years and knows first-hand the financial and emotional pressures placed on some families after Christmas.

Terry has assisted families in the past who are seeking help to get school uniforms, books, stationery and other essentials needed to start their children’s school year and welcomes the launch of the School Essentials Appeal.

“We have experienced unprecedented demand for emergency relief in 2023 and we know that it will only it will only increase as back to school expenses rack up,” he said.

“Last year we had some generous donors give us funds to directly help a number of families with vouchers so they could buy uniforms, shoes and other items for the school year.

“Some families will find a way to pay for these back to school items but choose not to eat, pay their rent or pay mounting bills. It is critical that we are there for these Tasmanians when they call on us.”

“We rely on schools to identify families that may need assistance and encourage them to come and see us to see what we can do to assist.”

Vinnies CEO Heather Kent said that it was a double whammy for the society, with cost of living pressures impacting the amount raised for the 2023 Christmas Appeal while demand for our services is at an all-time high.

“We know that there will be families that have financially struggled through Christmas only to be hit with the costs of getting their children back to school, which for many will see them need emergency assistance,” she said.

“School books, uniforms, school camps and excursions are all things we don’t want our children to miss out on, but it can be a bridge too far for many at this time of year.

“Not being able to afford these items are a stress on parents and carers and add to the anxiety of starting school for young people.

“We are asking those who can, to help struggling Tasmanians families with the costs of returning to school and donate to our School Essentials Appeal.”

Vinnies School Essentials Appeal is open now. To donate, please visit the Vinnies Tasmania website: www.vinniestas.org.au, or donate at a Vinnies Store or Vinnies office near you.

Released by:
Adrian Smith
Tel: 0417 529 826

*Key Statistics:

• In the past 12 months, 84,000 households in Tasmania experienced food insecurity.
• This number represents 18,000 more households than 2022 that are struggling to put food on the table.
• The number one reason households in Tasmania struggle to meet their food needs is the cost-of-living crisis (87 per cent).
• Thirty three per cent of food insecure households in Tasmania have mortgages.

(*Source – Foodbank Hunger Report – 2023)