By Melinda Cairns Hack

THE cold winter season is well and truly upon us with fires and heating cranked up, while hearty winter food and comforts of home keepmost Snowy Monaro residents warm and snug.

But what about those who don’t have these basic needs and struggle to survive from one day to the next?

Monaro Community Access Service (MCAS) is trying to alleviate some of these concerns which face the local community, but the organisation needs help.

MCAS’s role primarily is as a specialist homelessness and domestic violence service.

However, it also provides food relief once a week on Mondays between 1.30pm and 3pm.

Unfortunately, the funding used for this service is about to run dry and the small, not-for-profit community organisation is unable to carry on this service without financial assistance.

MCAS is calling on any business, large or small, or individual within the district who can provide funding to ease this social dilemma.

The not-for-profit organisation receives weekly food and at times clothing donations from ALDI, Woolworths and Coles; yet without the initial financial assistance provided by the Sisters of Charity, the service would not exist.

MCAS does not receive funding in its contract for this initiative, however, MCAS manager Barb Gillies said staff could see there was a need for those who are financially struggling in our community.

“By providing this food relief we have picked up many clients who would not normally access our service, if any, and we have also picked up those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness who have been flying under the radar.”

Ms Gillies said they are assisting pensioners, workers and single income families who are struggling to buy food and pay their rent or mortgage and their rates.

“MCAS requires assistance with funding to continue to deliver this very valuable food relief service as we can only continue whilst we still have remaining funds from the Sisters of Charity grant we have received.”

Additionally, a change in rules has meant supermarket donations are also becoming harder to access.

“We have been advised by the local supermarkets their rules have changed, and we are unable to receive some of the food items they once were able to pass on.”

Ms Gillies said this has, consequently, directly reduced the extent of assistance available to the community as MCAS has had to drop the food relief service from twice to once a week.

“We were fortunate to receive a grant from the Cooma Ex-services Club last year to assist with fridges/freezers, display racks and some rough sleeper long life food which has been extremely valuable.

“However, due to the changes with the supermarkets we would gratefully welcome any financial assistance to keep the program going.”

Pets are not forgotten as they too can be victims of hardships their owner is experiencing. It is not uncommon for people to skip meals to be able to feed their pet/s.

“We often pick up pet food from the Animal Rescue Co-op on the odd weekend in our own time,” Ms Gillies said.

MCAS caseworker Celena Rainbow said about half of those who use the service are families finding it difficult to keep up with the current cost of living.

She said these families can access school lunches and snack foods for their children and, depending on donations, clothing such as pyjamas and coats, in a non-judgmental, friendly and safe environment.

“The service we provide is about community helping community,” Ms Rainbow said.

“Everyone who comes here is treated equally with an unbiased attitude. It’s a positive place and a positive initiative which is really valued and appreciated.

“We don’t want to lose this service to the community – when the funding runs out, we can’t pull it from anywhere else,” she said.

“It’s such an important way of helping our clients some of whom might be paying for bond or a heating bill, instead of buying food.”

Ms Gillies stressed homelessness and the risk of homelessness and financial stress for pensioners is far worse in winter in the Snowy Mountains due to large electricity and gas bills for heating, as well as the lack of accommodation, due to the ski season and the influx of workers and tourists.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to rely on donations from the supermarkets due to their change of rules and as such we would like to ensure there is still a food relief assistance which we can provide.”

If any business in the Snowy Monaro can assist with the longevity of this much-needed local community service contact MCAS on 6452 6174 or email: manager@mcas.ngo.org.au