New Salvation Army survey reveals South Aussie are dumpster diving for food, skipping meals and living in the dark

A 62-year-old woman has revealed she considered eating pet food to survive in a new survey that shows the shocking true extent of the cost of living crisis.

National Homelessness Week.

A 62-year-old woman has provided a shocking insight into the cost of living crisis saying she’d considered eating dog or cat food” just to survive, would often go “without meals” and recently got down to eating just “one small meal a day”.

The confronting claim is among hundreds that are part of the Salvation Army’s latest Economic and Social Impact Survey, published on Wednesday.

Of the 287 vulnerable South Australians surveyed, more than half (52 per cent) said they were skipping meals to make ends meet, while nearly a quarter (24 per cent) admitted to eating expired or spoiled food.

A staggering 85 per cent were living below the poverty line, with many turning to drastic measures to survive — including eating from dumpsters (10 per cent), going without power (21 per cent), and reducing their medication due to cost (47 per cent).

Of the 287 vulnerable South Australians surveyed, more than half (52 per cent) said they were skipping meals to make ends meet.

The report also found:

• 33 per cent couldn’t afford essentials like nappies or baby formula

• 41 per cent used buy now, pay later services to cover basics

• 56 per cent of parents said they often went hungry to ensure their children could eat

One South Australian woman, 42, said poverty had robbed her of dignity: “The shame you feel – not being able to give your children what their friends are getting – is the yuckiest feeling ever.”

Another local, a 72-year-old man who cares for his wife, said any increase in income was swallowed up by rising rent and expenses.

“I receive the age pension and Carer’s Payment for my wife, who is ill and cannot work and has not reached retirement age,” he said.

“We live pension to pension ... there is no spare money.

“Every time we get any form of increase, it is drained by rent increases and the rising cost of living.

“The end result is our situation remains the same... just trying to keep surviving.”

A 60-year-old man from SA said the hardship had isolated him and caused him “much embarrassment”.

A 60-year-old man from SA said the hardship had isolated him and caused him “much embarrassment”.

“I make untrue excuses to family and friends about why I couldn’t attend gatherings due to my financial situation,” he said.

The report comes ahead of this weekend’s Red Shield Appeal, The Salvation Army’s major fundraising push that aims to raise $38m to support more than 2000 services across the country.

Salvation Army spokesman Bruce Harmer urged South Australians to dig deep.

“It is truly shocking in a country like Australia that we are seeing these devastating numbers,” Major Harmer said.

“No one should be forced to eat expired food or to eat out of rubbish bins.”

To donate or access help, visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS.

“You can be the hope that Aussies desperately need right now,” said Major Harmer.

“So please, if you are able, donate to the Red Shield Appeal this year.”

Originally published as New Salvation Army survey reveals South Aussie are dumpster diving for food, skipping meals and living in the dark