Are there really hungry people in Northern Territory?
Yes there are, but hunger is largely a hidden social problem and many victims suffer in silence. Each year 42,132 Northern Territorians experience food insecurity – around half of them are children. That’s one in every ten people.
Despite almost two decades of economic growth nearly a quarter of the population still live in low economic resource households and 10.9% live below the poverty line. The prices of essentials like food, health, education, housing, utilities and transport have climbed so much in recent years that people who are already struggling are susceptible to sudden bill shock and financial disadvantage. The current economic climate means people are turning to charity who would never have dreamed of seeking such support in the past. So it’s not just traditionally vulnerable groups such as the homeless seeking food relief, but also the aged, single parents and the working poor.
Some statistics about the unlucky people in our lucky country:
17,009
25,397
50%
1 in 4
25%
Charities, which only exist to meet a need, are experiencing an alarming increase in demand. In the last twelve months Foodbank has experienced an 11% increase in community groups seeking food assistance. Charities report having to turn away 134 people a month on average – 72 of whom are children.
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