Border families already struggling with the strain of working out how to afford Christmas this year can now get a bit of extra help.
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The Salvation Army in Albury will start taking names of anyone who would like to receive a Christmas hamper.
Lieutenant Rod Parsons said while these hampers would be full of toys, people could also request special Christmas food items, such as hams.
“We’re after clients for our Christmas hampers – now is the time to think about it,” he said.
“All people have to do is rock up to The Salvation Army on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9am and 12 and put their names down.”
Lieutenant Parsons said names would be taken throughout the coming weeks, though it was recommended that people put their names down sooner rather than later.
The Salvos in Albury also provide financial counselling five days a week for anyone who needs help planning for what could be a taxing time of year.
“We don’t want people spending Christmas sweating, with them worried about finances when everyone else is having a great time.”
Lieutenant Parsons said it was not the poor alone who struggled.
He noted the band of people who earned just too much to get government assistance yet who still did not have enough to live on.
“You have both parents working, maybe one has got part-time or casual work,” he said.
“We get families who are employed who still can’t afford to pay their bills.”
Lieutenant Parsons said it was tough for many people to find enough money to get through the Christmas season.
”It’s really tough, things are really tight,” he said.
“People get the big winter gas or electricity bill then the big summer one with cooling, which you need in Albury.
“It can be pretty difficult, but unfortunately there’s no magic wand though we can help where we can.”
Financial counsellor Kaily Goodsell, from Albury’s St David's Uniting Care, said it was worth people being mindful of Christmas being “just one day a year”.
“And remember the real meaning behind it. It’s about taking the time to be nice to somebody, taking the time to actually say ‘how are you?’.”
Mrs Goodsell said people could save money – and have so much more fun – if they simply took their family out to Lake Hume on Christmas day, or went for a bike ride.
“That’s what the community is lacking and what family is lacking,” she said.
“We’re so caught up with our electronic devices. Don’t go buy your kids an iPad, give them some eye contact.”
Hampers can be requested by visiting the Salvos at the corner of Union Road and Corella Street, North Albury.