{"id":27850,"date":"2026-06-09T11:46:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T11:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/27850\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T11:46:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T11:46:19","slug":"aussies-queue-from-1am-for-basic-groceries-as-cost-of-living-crisis-deepens-a-lot-busier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/27850\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussies queue from 1am for basic groceries as cost-of-living crisis deepens: ‘A lot busier’"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Australian charity is warning that a growing number of people<\/a> are lining up from the early hours of the morning to access food and essential support, after more than 3.4 million households experienced food insecurity over the past year.<\/a><\/p>\n

Ann Cooper, founder and volunteer of South Australian not-for-profit group Cos We Care, told Yahoo News that demand for the weekly service has increased significantly in recent years, with more people relying on it.<\/p>\n

The group provides free food, clothing and essential support to people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship<\/a> through its weekly outreach service at Fremont Park in Elizabeth, in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.<\/p>\n

“It’s gotten a lot busier. A lot more people are coming now,” Cooper said.<\/p>\n

“Some even come at one o’clock in the morning just to be first in the line, which is just ridiculous, but we can’t control that. That’s what they think, even though there is plenty.”<\/p>\n

\"Left:<\/p>\n

Ann Cooper is the founder of Cos We Care. Source: Supplied<\/p>\n

Ann said the organisation continues to meet growing needs each week, with new faces regularly appearing alongside long-term attendees amid a cost-of-living crisis that is “only going to get worse”.<\/p>\n

“There are more and more people struggling, we’re getting new faces every week.<\/p>\n

“Some people have been coming for years, but not every week; they might disappear for six months or a year, then come back when they hit a hard spot. Others are there every week.<\/p>\n

“At least they know where they can come and get support.”<\/p>\n

\"Table<\/p>\n

The charity hands out fresh fruit, vegetables, and bakery items. Source: Cos We Care\/Facebook<\/p>\n

She said the service is designed to protect dignity and reduce visibility for people seeking help.<\/p>\n

“We do it early, so they’re not out there on public view,” she said.<\/p>\n

“We don’t ask for anybody’s details. If they deem themselves in need and are willing to get up and come, they get support. We try to give them dignity in that.”<\/p>\n

Over 3 million Aussies are facing food insecurity<\/p>\n

The 2025 Hunger Report from Foodbank Australia revealed that one in three Australian households (3.5 million) experienced food insecurity in the past year,<\/a> with cost-of-living pressures remaining the number one concern for 87 per cent of Australians.<\/p>\n

More than a third of households reported finding it difficult or very difficult to make ends meet, while 61 per cent of food-insecure households were classified as severely affected, meaning they were skipping meals or going entire days without eating.<\/p>\n

Cos We Care relies on community support and donations<\/p>\n

Ann said Cos We Care is largely volunteer-run and relies on donations and community support, as volunteers continue to show up after seeing the impact they have on individuals.<\/p>\n

“It’s just to see a smile on someone’s face, that they can get something,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I had a lady message me recently, a 17-year-old girl came into her care with nothing. We were able to give her a bag of toiletries, a blanket, and headphones so she could still have her music and space.<\/p>\n

“She just cried and was overwhelmed.”<\/p>\n

The charity operates in northern Adelaide, where more than 50,000 households are experiencing food insecurity. The region has the highest concentration of food relief services in Australia, with about 147 providers working to meet growing demand from struggling families and individuals.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story on homelessness? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

RELATED<\/p>\n

Winter Sleepout to go ahead rain, hail or shine<\/p>\n

Ann added that the group’s annual Winter Sleepout on June 20 aims to raise awareness of homelessness and hardship.<\/p>\n

“We did it last year for the first time, and it’s just to make people aware of what a lot of people have to do and don’t have the option to do, sleeping out in the cold. Last year, we had horrendous rain and wind, but people still came and did it.”<\/p>\n

Ann said the organisation would continue to focus on meeting growing needs.<\/p>\n

“There are more and more people struggling, but at least they know where they can come and get support.”<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n