In Australia, The Salvation Army financial relief services are run according to the Doorways philosophy. Doorways provides emergency relief and holistic case management with referral to internal and external support services.
Doorways aims to support people as they seek to make changes in their lives. We believe everyone has the capacity to change and Doorways caseworkers walk alongside people as they develop plans to achieve their goals.
We also work towards identifying and solving the issues contributing to long-term economic hardship. To do this, we continuously support and train our team to ensure that support services are of the highest quality.
Doorways works hand in hand with our Moneycare financial counselling program to assist individuals to regain control of their finances. They provide early-education and prevention strategies for people who may be at risk of financial hardship.
Doorways, together with teams from multiple programs, are working at the coalface of community, partnering with individuals and families for a better future.
To access emergency relief contact the Phone Assistance Line on 08 8130 6188.
The Food Pantry: Tuesdays 12pm- 2.30pm and Thursday 10am-12pm
The Hut Food Pantry provides fruit and vegetables, bread and staple grocery items at no cost to people living in the Adelaide Hills who are experiencing financial hardship.
This is a friendly and welcoming service staffed by a dedicated team of volunteers.
The Food Pantry receives a wide variety of donated and surplus foods from local food businesses and community members. We are sincerely grateful to Woolworths Stirling, Secondbite, Aldi Stirling, Coles Bridgewater, Bakers Delight Stirling, Aldgate Bakery and Stirling Fruit Mart for their ongoing support.
For more information regarding the Food Pantry or to become a member please contact The Hut on 8339 4400
Financial Assistance
The Hut’s Emergency Financial Wellbeing Assistance Program provides support to people living in the Adelaide Hills Council area who are experiencing financial hardship.
They can provide referrals to other services and programs within the community and access to their food pantry.
Unfortunately they are no longer able to provide food vouchers or direct financial assistance.
If you or someone you know has been affected financially by sudden unemployment, health challenges, disability, family breakdown or other circumstances then please call The Hut for more information or to make an appointment on 8339 4400.
Treasure Boxes is a South Australian based not-for-profit children’s charity, providing vital essentials to newborns, babies and children living in disadvantage within our community.
Through gifting essential children’s goods to families at risk of poverty, homelessness and domestic violence, they alleviate severe hardship, financial burden, reduce the risk of poverty and homelessness, ease trauma and provide hope to those most vulnerable.
Their doors are open to the general public to ensure families can immediately access basic childhood essentials (quality pre-loved items) for their babies, children and teens.
Family Support Program
Families with children under 18 years of age will be able to access this service. The program provides direct access to quality pre-loved essential items to care for your babies and children from newborn up to 17 years old. Essential packs ranging from $15-25 each, include mixed items of quality pre-loved and new: new nappies, wipes, toiletries, toys, clothes, shoes, books, linen and back to school.
To be eligible to access items, you will need a current Health Care Card and will be asked to provide it when you collect your items. You can access items for immediate family members only, as well as emergency foster care or similar circumstances.
If you do not have a Health Care Card due to reasons outside of your control (such as having a Bridging Visa, temporary care of a child, change in Centrelink benefits, etc.) you can let them know and they will consider it on a case by case basis.
A confidential, no-cost service is available for individuals facing financial difficulties or hardship in Western Adelaide. The service offers essential items such as Foodbank vouchers, transport assistance, chemist vouchers, and bill payments when necessary.
Additionally, the team can connect clients with other community supports, including housing assistance, multicultural services, and financial wellbeing services.
How to Access Assistance
Funded by the Department of Human Services and the Department of Social Services, this service aims to provide emergency assistance in Western Adelaide.
Customer Pays Card (CPC)/White Card
For those requesting a Customer Pays Card (CPC), also known as a White Card, and who are existing UCWB clients, an online referral form must be completed. Once the request is made, FoodBank will be contacted, and the CPC will be made available at the chosen location within two business days. An SMS notification will be sent once the action is completed. New clients are not eligible for this request.
Other Assistance
For emergency assistance, contact the UCWB team at (08) 8245 7139, Monday to Friday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Residents of Western Adelaide can also complete an online referral form. If a call is not received or missed between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on the day of contact, a follow-up call should be made the next business day, or another online form should be submitted.
To ensure a response, leave a full name, suburb, contact number, and details of the assistance required. Incomplete messages will not be returned. If outside the catchment zone, other government-funded emergency assistance providers are available.
Additional Resources
UnitingCare emergency relief centres offer food, clothing, and essential items and are located at Uniting Churches across Adelaide. When contacting these centres, mention that the referral came from UnitingCare Wesley Bowden.
Emergency Assistance refers to the broad support offered to people who need help with everyday living costs along with the impacts that can be felt when facing poverty and disadvantage. When someone calls Vinnies for help they are linked with a Vinnies member (voluntary role) in their local area. Through personal contact, Vinnies provides material and financial support, as well as comfort, hope, and friendship. Where appropriate, members will also work with people to help break the cycle of poverty - this may be through referral to other agencies or advocacy.
How Vinnies can assist:
- Food parcels, grocery gift cards and clothing
- Other everyday necessities
- Referral to relevant services
- Assistance with completing forms and housing applications
- Assistance with bills (e.g. utility bills)
- Resources, information and advocacy.
How to access emergency assistance:
Adelaide metro area:
Call 1300 729 202 between 9am and 1pm, Monday to Friday.
Regional South Australia:
Visit your local Vinnies shop.