Statistics have revealed that around three million children live below poverty line in Australia, including 750,000 children.
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"It is unacceptable. Much more can and should be done. Ensuring the adequacy of income support is one of the most important and effective ways to prevent poverty and reduce homelessness across Australia," Dan Strickland, Mission Australia's area manager southeast, said.
"Poverty means families and individuals have to make unacceptable choices, such as whether to go without food or medicine or whether to miss a job interview because they cannot afford the bus. They can be forced into unsuitable and often unsafe accommodation because it is all they can afford, which can seriously impact on mental health and wellbeing."
As the anti-poverty week runs from October 13-19, Mission Australia has banded together with other community service providers to host 'Poverty is no Picnic in the Park, Food Drive & BBQ' event on Monday.
A food drive is being organised and non-perishable food donations on the day are welcome. Food donations can also be made Food donations can also be made during business hours to Mission Australia, Services NSW, PCYC and Anglicare prior the event.
"The food will be distributed to local community providers to support people in need," Meleesa Warn, Community Development Officer, Mission Australia, said.
Toni Reay, Goulburn Anglicare's regional manager, Housing and Social Services, has come across several clients who are in need of support.
"Anglicare provides homelessness support service and last year in Gouburn, we had 636 clients who needed housing support. It's important for us to get out there, raise awareness and get non-perishable food items for those in need," she said.
Megan Short, who is Goulburn Mulwaree Council's community service supervisor, runs several services community programs and has seen the effects of poverty faced by some people.
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"Our programs support youths and aged people and lots of those people know what it's like to struggle. It's important from Council's perspective to promote the services we have in the community so that people know where to go to get help when they are really struggling," she said.
"The food drive is as important to us as is creating awareness among people about the services that can support them when in need."
Service centre manager of Goulburn's Service NSW Trent Dawson plays an important part in helping those who are in need.
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"We have hundreds of people coming to our office everyday. If we see someone who is in need, we refer them to the relevant agency to get the assistance they require," Mr Dawson said.
On the day of the event, free sausage sizzle lunch and picnic will be available from 11am-2pm at Belmore Park.
Guest speakers on the day will be Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman and Nada Nasser, State Director for Mission Australia.
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