BILL SHOCK: Volunteer Eddie Hodgson behind the counter at the Salvation Army’s Family Store in Orange. Salvation Army director of operations for Orange Reverend Matthew McBurney said a vandalised front window means needy families will miss out when the cost of repair is added to escalating electricity bills. Photo JUDE KEOGH
BATTLING families in Orange will miss out on Salvation Army welfare hampers as the organisation struggles to meet escalating electricity charges.
The $1500 power bill shock for the Salvation Army Family Store in Orange was followed by another blow this week when vandals smashed the front door of the store on Thursday night, costing the welfare organisation another $500.
Salvation Army director of operations for the store Reverend Matthew McBurney said he’s done the sums and the added financial burden will affect the organisation’s ability to deliver welfare to all the families who need it.
“I’ve worked out there is around 37 families who will not be able to be delivered one of our $40 hampers,” he said.
“It is very disappointing as we had plans to expand our service to also help people in smaller outlying areas with our mobile service.”
Reverend McBurney defended the organisation keeping lights on at night in its building on the corner of Peisley and Summer streets.
“We were broken into earlier this year and our donations box stolen,” he said.
“We have to keep the lights on so our cameras can pick up any detail inside if that happens again.”
Reverend McBurney said asking their energy provider for an extension to pay the bill is just delaying the inevitable.
“We will pay it now from our funds we have but it has set us back,” he said.
Reverend McBurney said some of the costs involved a heating charge, however the organisation had installed gas heating for workers in the rear of the building.
He said he is hoping to pursue sponsorship and look at ways of securing finance so solar panels could be installed on the building.