Single mum Sarah has been relying on the generosity of community services since her baby was born 16 months ago.
Sarah's marriage ended when her daughter was just one month old. The 35-year-old, who was living in Brisbane's south, moved to Canberra to stay with family.
She says community relief in the area was "second-to-none". She was able to regularly access nappies, baby clothes, food and other supplies.
"There are community pantries and there [are] a couple that are really fantastic," says Sarah, who asked to be identified only by her first name for privacy.
"But they don't get any government funding, so they are solely reliant on the goodness of people in the area."
Sarah is now back in Brisbane, caring for her baby full-time while searching for work and trying to make ends meet.
"The position of the government is they expect everyone has a support network behind them. I don't," she says.
"Getting those bare essentials really helps."
Rising cost of living increases need
Australia's largest food relief organisation, Foodbank, says demand for supplies is increasing, particularly in the regions.
"Increases in fuel prices have a greater impact in regional areas because of the distances some need to travel for work or to access basic services," says Adam Loftus, food programs manager at Foodbank NSW and ACT.
"Fuel prices also increase pressure on an already stretched supply chain, with some towns paying three or four times the cost for basic food items when compared with major centres."
Kayleen Ashley has lived in Cootamundra in southern NSW for three decades.
A workplace accident meant her husband could no longer work, but Kayleen says the family always managed a comfortable existence.
The 64-year-old relies on the pension as income and enjoys contributing to her local community.
She is a volunteer at the local Red Cross, which also happens to be home to a pop-up Foodbank.
"I have been a carer for my husband for many years, but I still needed a social outlet, so I started volunteering at Red Cross," she says.
"It's also good for my own mental health."
With rising interest rates and cost of living expenses, Kayleen has begun to utilise the service herself.
"It's been brilliant that I've been able to go in there and just get a few staples at a much lower cost than the supermarket.
"It costs us $15, and you get 18 items off the shelf."
She says items like cereal, sauces and biscuits, along with the occasional cleaning products and fruit and vegetables, help when having a "bad week".
"It leaves us that extra money free to pay those doctor's bills," she says.
Breaking the stigma around asking for help
Kayleen says being a volunteer made shopping at the Foodbank for the first time a little easier.
"There's a lot of emotions and embarrassment that first time you take charity," she says.
"I thought to myself: this is something I never thought I would need to do, but after that initial one, it gets easier. It helps that people in there are friendly and serve you without judgement."
In Brisbane, Sarah has been able to access food and other household supplies through local churches and community centres.
She says every little bit helps, but the services aren't as readily available as they were in Canberra, adding "people aren't always that empathetic".
Still, Sarah says hustling is the only way she can get by, often collecting roadside items during kerbside pick-up and flipping them on Facebook Marketplace.
"Just got out and explore. Swallow your pride," she says.
"It beats the alternative which is going without … you really have to help yourself."
When back on her feet, Sarah says she wants to advocate for mums who don't have a support network.
"I've always been resourceful in the past; I've cleaned houses, mowed lawns," she says.
"But when you have a baby, your hands are tied. And you want to be present for your child as well."
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