JIM Peoples knows only too well the desperate plight of many Bendigo families.
One of more than 100 volunteers at the St Vincent de Paul assistance centre, Jim is responsible for re-stocking the pantry each fortnight ... and he has watched the grocery bill soar in recent months.
The average spend was about $3500 six months ago, but that figure has jumped to $4500.
“It’s shocking some of the cases we get,” he said.
Pat McCarthy agrees.
“It’s been a different kind of demand in the last 12 months,” she said.
“Some people are coming in who have never had to come before, they’re shy about asking for the needs they have ... and all the needs they have.”
 Pat is one of a team of volunteers who greet those visiting the centre between 10am and 2pm daily.
In the year ending June, 2007, 9690 families, 11,437 adults and 9517 children sought help at the assistance centre.
Most who seek help are visited in their home the same day by volunteers from their local Catholic church parish.
“They’re visited that day, to find out their total need,” Pat says.
“Sometimes people open up more in their own home ... some are shy about asking.”
Many, according to the society’s Northern Eastern Central Council president Brian Lenten, are the working poor.
“It’s so hard for them to ask,” he said.
“But I tell my volunteers, for God’s sake, don’t go being judgmental, it’s the worst thing you can do.
“We would rather err on the side of being taken than do the wrong thing, especially when there’s kids ... what can you do?”
And it’s this message every one of the huge band of volunteers takes on board.
From those who unload the trucks carrying hundreds of donated items daily, to the team who sort through the wares and those who deliver more than 60 loaves of bread three times a week.
Or those who are the friendly face at the counter for families finding the strength to ask for help ... regardless of who you find at any one of the St Vincent de Paul assistance centres, you can be sure they are there to help.
In the 12 months before June last year, the Bendigo centre provided $89,757 in material aid, furniture, bedding and clothing to those seeking help.
The Castlemaine centre provided $5123 worth of assistance, Eaglehawk $10,540 and Kangaroo Flat $2048.
The total food expenditure for the Bendigo regional council was $174,077,
accommodation $7737, cash $4204, transport $13,759, whitegoods $5513, utility bills $12,668, prescription / medicine $5243 and education $4649.
All funds used by the assistance centres are profits from St Vinnies stores, which have skyrocketed in the past 12 months.
“Sales at the stores have also increased,” Brian said.
“It shows the need for such places.”
And that need also highlights how a team of volunteers who pull together daily can reach out to a community without external funding.
Their efforts are solely based on goodwill.