With 6.5% of Queensland jobs already wiped out as a result of COVID-19*, now more than ever, people are turning to The Salvation Army for urgent help and The Salvos are bracing for a further influx once isolation measures are lifted.
The Salvation Army has remained committed to delivering emergency support to anyone who needs it during the pandemic, despite the need for extensive changes to the way it operates.
The call for help comes as The Salvos prepare for the annual Red Shield Appeal weekend (May 23 and 24) which supports personal hardship relief services across the country.
Brisbane Streetlevel Mission in Spring Hill, which offers assistance to those in crisis with emergency relief, free meals, referrals and emotional and personal support, has had to move away from hosting daily onsite activities, group meals and social gatherings, having switched to COVID safe practices.
“We used to host large community gatherings, bringing together those in need of food, personal support or social connection – groups as large as 140 people at a time. Obviously, we can’t do that at the moment due to the pandemic, but we’re still finding ways to support those in the community who need our help,” says Paul Maunder, Team Leader, Brisbane Streetlevel Mission.
“Currently we are providing pre-packaged takeaway meals that are cooked onsite by our volunteers. People can also receive other essential grocery/ pantry items and even a barista-made coffee.
“This meal pick-up service gives us the opportunity to continue to connect with our community members and to offer them support with other aspects of their lives, including referrals for housing and other financial support as needed,” says Paul Maunder.
The team from Brisbane Streetlevel Mission is also staying connected with community members they support through regular phone calls and social media.
With many community members sleeping rough or living in insecure dwellings, they do not have any residential address for their mail. Brisbane Streetlevel provides community members with the option to have their mail directed to the Mission.
Right across Brisbane, Salvo teams are delivering food hampers and providing fresh fruit and vegetable boxes to those in need during isolation, and continue to provide emergency financial relief to those in crisis.
Local Salvos have also been assisting vulnerable shoppers during the dedicated shopping hours at local supermarkets, assisting the elderly and those with disabilities to take items off the shelves, carry their bags and help load them into the car.
“Many of these people have been quite distressed during the pandemic and the resulting grocery shortages and it has been a good opportunity for us to help them both physically and emotionally, with a friendly chat being greatly appreciated.
“We literally found one elderly gentlemen in the aisle in tears when he could not find any toilet paper, so we reassured him and got his details so that we could deliver some toilet paper to him later that day – he was so grateful,” says Melinda Burrows.
As a result of COVID-19 social distancing requirements, another major change has been at the Salvos Pindari Crisis Accommodation in Spring Hill, where all residents have been moved to student accommodation facilities in Toowong so that they can be housed in individual rooms with non-shared facilities, ensuring everyone has the highest level of care during these times.
With the national unemployment rate forecast to hit 10% by June, The Salvation Army is bracing itself for dramatic increases in the number of people seeking help with financial hardship, homelessness and domestic violence.
“We expect to see the number of people who require assistance increase even more once the Government’s JobKeeper and additional funds under JobSeeker conclude in the coming months,” says Melinda Burrows.
“Now, more than ever, we’re relying on the generosity of Australians to support our annual Red Shield Appeal, so we can help even more people in need during these unprecedented times.
“For the first time in its 55-year history, our traditional door-knock is running online this year, due to COVID-19,” she says.
To leave no one in need, please make a tax-deductible donation at salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58). The national target is $35 million by June 30.
The Salvation Army’s most recent annual report noted its social services provided more than 1 million sessions of care to Australians in need, helped 46,000 people experiencing homelessness, provided financial counselling to more than 65,000 and offered care to 13,000 people who were coping with family violence.**
“The Salvos have been around for 140 years, through two World Wars, the Depression, as well as natural disasters, including our most recent unprecedented bushfires across Australia, supporting the most vulnerable on the ground every step of the way,” says Melinda Burrows.
“COVID-19 has seen everyday Aussies face greater hardship than they have ever experienced before, impacting their physical, mental and financial health. We’re here to help – and we’re looking forward to the generous support of Australians through the Red Shield Appeal.
“We’re also hoping to see the continued generous support of the Queensland Government towards our life changing work and encourage it to dig even deeper this year in support of the Red Shield Appeal.”
