Post by Banker on Nov 9, 2011 15:32:41 GMT 7
PENSIONERS are managing to pay hefty rents by living on two-minute noodles and dog food, a long-term St Vincent de Paul staffer says.
And it's getting worse.
After 17 years with the organisation, Cheryl Cahill believes the needy are more in need than ever.
``When I started there were the poor, the middle class and the upper class. Now the middle class is fading,'' she said.
Ms Cahill, who is the senior clerk at the Beaudesert branch, says the organisation delivers thousands of food packs each week to 46 support centres across south-east Queensland, Brisbane, Caboolture and Mullumbimby.
It's an expensive service but helped ``tremendously'' by contributions from Foodbank Queensland.
Ms Cahill said while she spent ``thousands'' each week with a local supermarket it was topped up with canned food like baked beans and spaghetti from Foodbank.
``It is a wonderful thing because there are so many poor now,'' she said.
``They are trying to rear their children and also deal with the cost of living, the telephone, electricity, rents, mortgages. I never thought I would find people living in their cars or families living in tents,'' she said.
Ms Cahill said the weeks leading up to Christmas always became hectic as families tried to get that little bit more for the festive season.
``We start at 5.15am and finish at 3pm and we don't have a break,'' she said.
``It's full steam ahead.''
Ms Cahill said the despite the stress of the job, including abused women turning up with just the clothes on their backs, she loved being able to help others.
``I have a wonderful team of volunteers and Foodbank helps us help others.''
www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/noodles-and-dog-food-sustaining-pensioners-on-high-rents/story-fn8m0u8i-1226189070106
