What's Happening in Balcatta, WA…

Demand for food handouts from WA charities has risen dramatically after families struggled to keep their heads above water in the build-up to Christmas.

According to Foodbank manager David Warren, the spike is the biggest that charities have seen since 2010. He added that the latest research undertaken by his organisation had revealed an increase of nine per cent in the number of people seeking food donations.

It is feared the huge demand may lead to some charities having to say `no’ to cash-strapped families in need.

Warren Palmer, of the Salvation Army, said requests were already flowing in from low-income earners, the homeless and elderly people in the suburbs and the calls for assistance only increased as Christmas neared.

Despite the generosity of people throughout the state, including those from Osborne Park and city areas, concern was growing that charities’ resources may fall short of their target and be unable to assist all those who required help.

Perth’s northern suburbs, including Joondalup, Clarkson, Butler and Merriwa, where there is a concentration of single-parent families with two or three children, were among the areas of heightened demand.

Mr Palmer said it was a sad state of affairs when families’ budgets were stretched so far to cover rising living costs, such as utility bills, that they were unable to afford Christmas lunch.

Flyer printing has helped charities spread the word of food collection initiatives, in the hope of ensuring that no families are turned away.