WA: Huge demand for charity services in WA as donations slip

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2009
WA: Huge demand for charity services in WA as donations slip

PERTH, Dec 24 AAP - Charities in Western Australia say huge increases in demand for
their services have coincided with substantial drops in donations as some people find
they have nowhere to go this Christmas.

The Smith Family, the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and Mission Australia are
reporting many WA families face a difficult yuletide, with demand for charity services
increasing as much as sixfold on recent years.

The charities say they have not been able to reach their fundraising goals.

St Vincent de Paul's Julie McDonald said the economic downturn meant many people were
preoccupied with putting food on the table.

"Last year the need was very much masked by the government stimulus package," Ms McDonald
told ABC radio.

"It really helped people get over the line. This year people are facing difficulties
putting food on the table, paying their bills, keeping the electricity switched on.

"In some cases they're finding they've got nowhere to go on Christmas night."

Mission Australia said many West Australians had felt the impact of "a turbulent year"

and it was expecting a big increase in numbers at its traditional Christmas Lunch in the
Park in central Perth.

More than 400 people have volunteered to help an expected 2,000 people celebrate Christmas.

The charity says the lunch, its 34th, is a way to help the "less fortunate, homeless,
isolated or lonely" on what can be "a day of uncertainty and struggle".

Entertainment is provided and each guest is given a traditional Christmas lunch and a gift.

AAP was/jpm

KEYWORD: XMAS CHARITY WA

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