Needy families stretch Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is struggling to meet the demands of hundreds of clients who continue to seek help - despite official claims the recession is over.

The church said yesterday that it was experiencing "record demand" for numerous services, including food, emergency housing and budget advice.

Its national director of social services, Major Campbell Roberts, said staff had had to ration food parcels, limit the amount of money given to families or cut back on other services in order to provide for needy families.

"We've not really had the money that they have required. We have had to limit to some extent and take from other places to meet the demand," Major Roberts said.

During the recessionary period - early 2008 to March this year - there was a 66 per cent rise in the number of food parcels distributed. More than 51,000 were given out to families.

The number of families approaching the Salvation Army for food rose about 55 per cent, to more than 28,000.

Auckland's Salvation Army services were the busiest and - as in other centres - those seeking help were "ordinary" New Zealanders who had only recently felt the brunt of the recession, Major Roberts said.

"It [asking for help] is an embarrassing thing to do and it's a difficult thing to do. You've got to take your pride in your hands and ask someone for help.

"Usually it's the small things [like] they need help with buying their children's glasses or school fees, camp or some event.

"Most people don't want their kids to miss out or to suffer when things are a bit tough."

The winter months will also put a strain on the Salvation Army and Major Roberts hopes the public will chip in for this week's annual Red Shield Appeal.

"The reality is, it's very difficult for a lot of families ... Hopefully we can continue to help them, with the help of others."