Vinnies School Essentials Appeal addresses rising cost of living pressures on Tasmanian families

The St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) has responded to the rise in demand for emergency relief services during the back to school period this year as more families struggle with increased costs of living.

St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Riverside has responded to the escalating financial pressures on families with the inclusion of book packs in its school fees and subsidising other costs such as camps and uniform items.

St Anthony’s Principal Jason Perry said that as cost of living pressures have increased, he has witnessed a gradual reduction in parents’ capacity to spend on anything that “costs extra”.

“Initiatives such as Vinnies’ School Essentials Appeal are vital for those parents that can't afford fundamental items because there is no other way to support parents unless it is by the school. There is also an element of dignity that is maintained through support by established and reputable charities such as Vinnies.”

“We have seen an increase in requests for hardship discounts or help with fees and costs. Parents are cutting back on so many items, just trying to get by as they struggle to pay for the basics. Other aspects that build capacity and provide opportunities to kids – things such as after school sport, music lessons or varying sorts of equipment, are just getting too hard for many families” he said.

“A major impact we see, is in children's lunch boxes. We have witnessed both the cost of living increases having an impact as well as a lack of time from parents. Today, a child's lunch box is very often filled with pre-packaged food that's cheaper and easier on parents. We know that Vinnies often provides vital support to ensure that families can continue to put good food on the table – and in lunch boxes.

“We see parents reducing the out of school activities that cost them – often they are looking for more free or reduced cost options. We have also seen an increase in parents taking on extra work and even working more than one job - that has definitely become more common as people push to make ends meet. But then it can be a struggle balancing family commitments too. It really is a vicious cycle for many families as they try to get by – making choices that are often a hard compromise.”

Vinnies Member Eric Welsh is a member/volunteer for Vinnies, one of over 250 statewide. In regularly delivering emergency relief, and as a conference President and Co-ordinator of the Vinnies Christmas Hamper Project in northern Tasmania, Eric sees this hardship firsthand.

Eric and the northern Tasmania Vinnies team has in the past received a grant from local Lions and Rotary clubs to assist schools in the West Tamar area with school uniforms, sun hats, jumpers, shirts and sporting accessories.

“We were able to provide the students at the three schools in the district with items that perhaps their families would not be able to afford.”

“We are witnessing changes in the amounts of disposable income that families have, the main pressures seem to be trying to cope with rental increases and mortgage stress – all as a result of the rising interest costs and general increases associated with the cost of living in Australia,” Eric said.

“Compared to as little as three years ago, there has been a significant increase in demand for help during the period when families are preparing for their children to return to school.

Vinnies CEO Heather Kent said the last months have been hard to watch as individuals and families reach out in numbers not seen for decades.

“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. Too many individuals and families are reaching out to Vinnies for emergency assistance, many for the first time” she said.

“School is returning across Tasmania this week and the requests for help just keep escalating. Once back in the classroom, the conversation turns to after school activities, camps, and extra-curricular items. These are vital opportunities that help our children grow – finding their passions which can set them up for life.

“But for many families, these conversations are just too hard. That’s when they turn to Vinnies to help with so many other items of daily living. If you can find a way to help struggling Tasmanian families with the costs of returning to school, please donate to our School Essentials Appeal.

“By donating to the Vinnies School Essentials Appeal you are not only helping us assist families with obtaining the critical items they need, but also providing them with support for further pressures brought on by the rising cost of living including groceries, mortgage, rent, power bills and other essential expenses.”

The 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.