Community demand for non-food aid reaches record high amid cost of living crisis

New research from leading charity Good360 Australia reveals an unprecedented surge in community demand for non-food aid, with 82% of charities ^[1] reporting that demand for essential items like hygiene products, clothing, furniture and education supplies is higher than ever before. As the cost of living crisis continues to impact Australians, 84% of charities across Australia expect the year ahead to be tougher and the demand for non-food aid to increase further.

The Good360 Australia Communities in Need Report features new research into the concerns and challenges of charities and disadvantaged schools nationwide, alongside Good360’s latest donation data, and paints a stark picture of the impact the cost of living crisis is having across Australia. With 65% of charities unable to meet the demand for non-food aid in their communities and 60% witnessing a broader range of people needing support, the findings underscore the critical and growing need for non-food aid.

Good360 donation data reveals a 40% surge in the value of new, donated essential items delivered to people in need via Good360’s charity network in the last financial year ^[2], the highest on record. In addition, Good360 saw an 11% increase in charities and schools seeking support ^[3], highlighting the escalating need in the community.

The research also reveals the types of items in highest demand, with personal hygiene products (76%), clothing (72%), and educational supplies (69%) topping the list.

Alison Covington AM, Founder and Managing Director of Good360 Australia, says the findings emphasise the urgency of addressing the rising demand for non-food aid.

“The cost of living crisis is pushing more Australians to the brink, and we are seeing a significant increase in the number of people turning to charities for help. The reality is that our communities need more than just food; they need everyday essentials that contribute to a dignified life.

“It’s not just the volume of need that’s concerning, but the fact that 58% of charities have reported a rise in people seeking help for the first time. We need to do more to ensure that all Australians, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the essentials. This includes items to support personal hygiene, for education, for living comfortably at home, and for play,” said Ms Covington.

Looking ahead, the research found that deteriorating economic conditions and the cost of living tops the list of charity concerns (89%), followed by declining donations and fundraising challenges (65%) and not having enough donated goods to support people in need (62%). It also found that 89% of charities surveyed think governments could be doing more to help people in need, while 85% believe retailers and businesses could be doing more (e.g. by donating excess or unsold goods).

With more Australians facing hardship, Good360 is encouraging Australians to come together this month to help alleviate the crisis.

“The situation is becoming increasingly untenable for so many Australians,” said Ms Covington.

“Meanwhile we know that $2.5 billion of unsold essential household goods are unnecessarily wasted each year ^[4]. There’s so much more we can be to reduce both need and waste in our community, including by working with more retailers to donate more excess or unsold goods to people who need it most.

“EveryOne Day, our annual, national fundraising campaign on 17 October is a crucial part of this effort. Every $1 raised helps deliver $20 worth of unsold brand new goods from retailers to people in need. We’re excited to have Harvey Norman on board as major partner, alongside the support of leading retailers and brands.

“There are many ways that people can get involved. Together, we can make a real difference to the lives of Australians doing it tough, while also reducing waste,” Ms Covington said.

Good360 is the largest digital marketplace in Australia for the retail industry to donate new, unsold consumer goods to people in need with the charity supporting a network of over 4,500 charities and disadvantaged schools across Australia. To find out more about EveryOne Day 2024 visit www.everyoneday.org.au.

New research from leading charity Good360 Australia reveals that 82% of charities across Australia report that community demand for essential non-food aid has never been higher (items like hygiene products, clothing, bedding and education supplies).

The research of over 500 charities reveals that as the cost of living crisis continues to impact Australians, 84% of charities expect the year ahead to be even tougher and demand for non-food aid to increase further.

Meanwhile, Good360’s donation data reveals a 40% surge in the value of donated goods distributed to people in need in the last financial year, the highest on record, alongside an 11% increase in the number of charities and schools seeking support.

The research also found 58% of charities are seeing more people seeking help for the first time.

Essential items in highest demand include personal hygiene products (76%), clothing (72%), and education supplies (69%).

About Good360 Australia: Good360 Australia is the largest digital marketplace in Australia for the retail industry to donate unused and unsold consumer goods to people in need. Good360 is a connector – we distribute millions of new, unsold consumer goods like clothes, homewares, appliances, compliances, furniture, toiletries and toys that have been donated by our 600 partners, to a network of over 4,500 charities and disadvantaged schools across Australia supporting people in need. The result is a Circle of Good that reduces need and waste in our communities, helping both people and our planet. www.good360.org.au

Ben - 0431 180 161 / [email protected]

Videos and photos (including interview grabs with Alison Covington and b-roll) available here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1ToRPkj4T2vn6MF9mQTsqp4gIKrdPiAhO