THERE could be a knock on the door from the Salvos this Sunday and if you are contemplating making a donation there are a few things worth remembering.
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The first is that the money you give goes to support a range of services as well as helping provide financial support to those in need.
The Salvos are legendary for turning up in the wake of natural disasters to offer food, clothing and support to people who may have lost homes and other possessions in fires or floods. Their practical hands-on approach to distributing material and emotional support has won them countless fans.
They also provide counselling, a support network and accommodation for people whose lives are in crisis for a host reasons, including alcohol and other substance abuse, family break-up or mental illness.
There is also the more visible, store-front welfare they provide through offices in most large towns and cities, including Orange.
This week the Salvos released its annual survey on the economic and social impacts of poverty on its clients and the results should shock most people.
The revelation that many of this wealthy country’s poorest citizens have under $20 a day to live on once their rent is paid, could only be described as deeply disturbing. While the national budget debate revolves around whether the country has the stomach for genuine reform of the taxation system hundreds of thousands of people are living below the poverty line.
What may surprise many people is that in Orange at least many of those who turn to the Salvos are not habitually dependent on welfare and addicted to charity.
One-off household emergencies, like the fridge breaking down, are the most common reason clients seek the Salvos help, and they don’t make a habit of it.
There will always be those in society who will simply accept a hand-out but the Salvos’ experience is that there are many more living hand to mouth and managing as best they can.
When something as simple as an unexpected bill tips them over the edge, it would be a cold-hearted society which would refuse to help.