The Salvation Army has issued an urgent warning that Australia’s cost-of-living crisis is spiralling into an emergency for the nation’s most marginalised people, with a new report revealing nearly one in five (19%) people surveyed saying they had eaten from bins and three in five (60%) saying they had eaten expired or spoiled food in the past 12 months.
The new report surveyed 4,400 Australians seeking emergency relief support from The Salvation Army and revealed widespread food insecurity and severe financial distress, with 91% saying they skipped meals in the past 12 months and almost one third (32%) saying this happened daily.
The report also found one third (35%) said they survived on only one meal a day and 67% said they watered down food or drinks to make them last longer.
Further findings from the report included:
- 82% said they had gone an entire day without eating in the past year.
- 87% said they avoided using heating or cooling over the past year due to cost pressures
- 77% said they had been unable to properly heat or cool their home in the past year
- 90% have experienced being unable to afford public transport or fuel for their car
The Salvation Army is calling on Australians to support its vital work, with demand for assistance continuing to rise across homelessness, emergency relief, financial hardship, family violence, youth services and community meals.
To donate to The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, or if you need support from the Salvos, visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/ or call 13 SALVOS.
You can also donate at any Salvos Store.
The Red Shield Appeal 2026 National Doorknock is this weekend, 30 and 31 May 2026, and collections at Woolworths started on Monday and continue until 7 June 2026.
