OVER the past year a growing number of Midland residents have turned to Vinnies WA for emergency support with an overwhelming demand for food, clothing and living essentials and fuel amid mounting cost-of-living pressures.

Midland recorded the second highest demand for emergency support with 1885 enquiries for assistance since July last year, behind Rockingham with 2057 enquiries.

Between January and April this year, Vinnies WA recorded an 18 per cent increase in the volume of calls to its emergency relief call lines, compared to the same period last year.

Food remained the most requested form of emergency relief support, accounting for 65 per cent of all assistance provided, followed by clothing and living essentials (11 per cent), petrol (5 per cent) and help to pay bills (4 per cent).

The new figures paint a stark picture of the people who are increasingly reaching out for help with basic needs.

Vinnies WA Midland Support Centre president Cath Denton said demand is growing in Midland.

“We’re seeing a lot more new clients not just reoccurring clients, and a lot of people we see are single mothers who are just trying to hold everything together. They’re often asking for food or even petrol vouchers to get their kids to school or to doctor appointments,” she said.

“We are also seeing clients who are falling behind in their rent and need support with payments.

“Lately, we’ve also seen a lot of people who are sleeping rough in the local area come in and ask for food or blankets.”

She said many people were right on the edge, and they’re really struggling.

“Life has just got too much for them, and with the cold weather, they’re freezing cold and they’re just looking for help,” Mrs Denton said.

“We’re getting a lot of requests for bedding and blankets.”

Worryingly, the number of employed West Australians provided with support jumped by 25 per cent compared to the same period last year, with 14 per cent of people supported for the first time.

Figures also revealed 70 per cent of people supported were women, one in three were aged between 40 and 50 and one in three were single parents with children.

Vinnies WA chief executive officer Ann Curran said the figures reflected the growing reality that hardship was no longer isolated to people experiencing entrenched disadvantage.

“We are hearing from more people who never would have imagined they would need to ask for help; from working families, single parents, people juggling rent, bills and groceries, and many who are simply one payslip away from crisis,” she said.

“Heading into winter, many people are forced to make difficult decisions, and often this means choosing between heating their homes, putting food on the table or paying their rent.

“We know the colder months place enormous pressure on households already doing it tough, which is why our Vinnies Winter Appeal is critical to so many WA families right now.”

Overall, Vinnies WA received a total of 38,711 emergency relief calls since July last year.

Ms Curran said the organisation was increasingly supporting people experiencing financial stress for the first time in their lives.

“The Vinnies Winter Appeal helps ensure we can continue providing practical support including food assistance, help with bills, clothing and fuel, as well as funding our vital homelessness services to people who need it most,” Ms Curran said.

To donate to the Vinnies Winter Appeal or to seek urgent support, visit the website.