More help for Gladstone families in need

The Australian Government is continuing to assist Gladstone families struggling from the effects of the global economic crisis, providing more than $87,000 in emergency relief over two years to the Salvation Army’s Gladstone Community Service Centre.

This includes a funding boost of $22,000 in recognition of the increased demand on community organisations as a result of the global economic recession.

This funding will assist the Salvation Army in delivering emergency relief assistance to individuals and families in need in Gladstone.

Services include the provision of food vouchers, clothing and assistance with housing and other household bills and referrals.

The Rudd Government committed an extra $80.4 million for emergency relief and financial counselling earlier this year to assist Australians doing it tough during the global recession.

From this investment, emergency relief funding for Gladstone has been increased by 37 per cent for the next two years.

Total emergency relief funding for Gladstone for 2009-11 is more than $160,000.

These services are an essential component of the Government’s response to the global recession.

The global recession continues to be felt by Australian families with almost 21 per cent reporting higher levels of hardship – with over half this number reporting they are experiencing financial strain for the first time.

The funding boost builds on the Government’s pledge to work with the community in overcoming the global recession.