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“Come down and speak to charities like ours. Actually come and see exactly what's happening. People are doing it really tough. People are really hurting.”
That was Jason Haines, speaking to SBS News in September.
He runs an emergency relief centre across the lake from Parliament House in Canberra, and has seen many more people coming through his doors this year alone.
Brendan Nottle is the Commanding Officer at The Salvation Army.
He says research by the Salvos has found that stress is even more acute as Christmas approaches, with more than 5.3 million people unable to afford a Christmas meal this year and 30 per cent of parents worried their children will go without presents.
“Salvation Army conducted research recently and found that 62 percent of people this Christmas are saying they're really feeling financially stressed. And more than that, we're actually seeing that 48 percent of people that visited a Salvation Army service this year have done so for the very first time.”
Nearly one in 10 people will rely on charitable support to get by this Christmas.
That support comes in many forms.
In Victoria, the Council of Homeless Persons says people experiencing homelessness, doing it tough, or needing company will be able to enjoy a meal at more than 20 free events across the state in the coming weeks*.
Groups like the Salvation Army are also organising hampers and presents, often underpinned by corporate donations.
Jackie Coates from the Telstra Foundation says they're asking Australians to help them in their donation drive by visiting their nearest payphone on the 16th and 17th of December, and make a free call to Santa.
“For every call made to Santa on a Telstra payphone this weekend, we'll donate $1 to the Salvation Army to go towards Christmas meals and Christmas toys. Because we know that it's been a really tough year for a lot of Aussies, and this is such an easy way that anyone across the country can join us in giving back to those in need.”
The number to call is #46 46 46 (# HO HO HO)
Volunteers at Hobart City Mission in Tasmania are sorting donated toys and non-perishable food items into hamper bags for those in the community doing it tough.
Hobart City Mission CEO, Harvey Lennon, says the need is so great - but they are determined to do the best they can.
“It's largely families at the moment. We're seeing more working poor, people who are employed but just aren't making enough to meet the costs of the basic necessities of life.”
Brendan Nottle says he doesn't want people to feel ashamed of asking for help - or feel like they're alone at what should be a wonderful time of year.
And he says for those who can afford to donate, giving is a way to show that there are people who care, and there's hope for the future.
“It's really important for people to connect at this time of the year. Because I think people are often reminded of what they don't have, and they end up isolated.”
Harvey Lennon says the collective efforts of charity groups and the resources donated from companies and the public do make a difference.
“A young mum with children said that when she was growing up, Christmas was a very special time. But without the support that she got from the Christmas Assistance Program (run by Hobart City Mission), she would have been unable to provide the experience that she had of Christmas and that her mum was able to provide - and she's incredibly grateful.... Christmas should be a special time and people should feel joy at Christmas.”
*There will be festive meals available at Altona, Benalla, Bendigo, Brunswick, Eaglehawk, Foster, Frankston, Glen Huntly, Hampton Park, Hastings, Kangaroo Flat, Long Gully, Mildura, Prahran, Quarry Hill, Richmond, Shepparton, St Kilda over the next two weeks.
