The cold weather exacerbates the cost-of-living crisis, according to the Salvation Army. Photo: Supplied.
Canberra charity Roundabout is asking for more donations as they say they have never seen a surge in demand as big as they have had this year.
The organisation that distributes essential goods for babies and young children around the capital says it is running low on supplies and is in desperate need of donations, such as children’s clothing.
Hannah Andrevski, CEO and founder of Roundabout, says every winter is a challenge, but this year is proving particularly difficult.
“Winter’s always a busy period for us when we see a change of season, and it’s often when families start to realise that they need some support in terms of warm clothing and warm bedding for their children,” she says.
“What we’re seeing this year is quite different to what we’ve seen in previous years, and that’s both in terms of the need but also in terms of just a lack of donations and not having enough stock on our shelves.”
Hannah Andrevski, CEO of Roundabout Canberra, says demand is up about 25 per cent this year. Photo: Roundabout.
Roundabout isn’t the only charity that has struggled to keep up with demand. The Salvation Army has also noted an uptick in those seeking aid.
Major Bruce Harmer, Head of External Communications for the Salvation Army, said they’re seeing more people in employment asking for help.
“Each year, as you can imagine, there are folks who are impacted by the weather who come to us,” he says.
“But they’re not really coming to us because of the weather, they’re coming to us because of the cost-of-living crisis that they’re deeply drowning in. The cold weather just exacerbates the situation that they’re already facing.”
For Roundabout, this increase is about 25 per cent according to Ms Andrevski.
Currently, the charity is hosting a donation drive for winter woollens (sizes 5 to 16), blankets, doonas, and several other essentials.
“If people are happy to pop a pair of socks or set a packet of undies or something like that in their trolley, next time they’re out at the shops, we’ll take them.
“They might be interested in donating their time, they can come and help us … we have a very flexible model of volunteering so people can sign up to come along as little or as often as they like.”
Over 2025, the group says they have helped 2040 children, gifting over 7000 items and 7000 volunteer hours.
“At Roundabout Canberra, ensuring that we can provide a child with the essentials is always at the heart of what we do, and adding some fun and sparkle is just as important!” Photo: Roundabout.
Major Harmer said the Salvos are also asking more Canberrans to dig deep, but he’s worried that after so many years of hardship, donor fatigue might be setting in.
“People have been supporting their communities for a number of years, and they are beginning to find it difficult, and they don’t necessarily have the residual funds that they might have had,” he says.
Major Harmer adds that there are always people looking to give back, especially among those who have previously received help.
“After a few weeks of being supported, they find themselves on the ladle end of a soup kitchen, serving food for the next person who needs help.
“And so they feel like they’re part of a community, and it lifts a person when they feel that they’re part of something.”
