Salvos Toy pick-up helps more than 70 families put gifts under the Xmas tree despite cost-of-living pressures

More than 70 families will have received some assistance with gift-giving this year after a surge in cost-of-living pressures put a hole in pockets across the Mid West. Thousands of dollars worth of toys, for children from small babies up to school-aged, were selected at the Geraldton Salvation Army on the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas. Parents received a hamper pack with basic snacks and Christmas crackers for around the table. This year they could choose one large gift, a small gift, a stuffed teddy and a puzzle or book. Minister Wendy Spindler said she was finding more people were in need of assistance because of rising living costs. “There are lots of families who are struggling, and it’s probably become more significant the fact cost of living has gone up. People with mortgages are probably also feeling the pinch this year with interest rates,” she said. “People are struggling and this will help. People are most grateful with what we’ve been able to do to help this Christmas.” Ms Spindler said a Geraldton school helped raise funds for the cause by holding a cake stall last week and learnt it was better to give than receive. “I explained that they’re going to put a smile on someone else’s child’s face and they should be proud of themselves,” she said. “Some of these people are couples or singles, but most of them are families with two-plus kids. That’s a lot of toys when you start adding it up.” The Salvation Army thanked Kmart for supporting the cause with the Wishing Tree.