How you can help Australian families in need this Christmas amid cost-of-living crisis

Australian families already feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis are staring down the barrel of an expensive Christmas as inflation surges to a 40-year high, impacting everything from groceries to fuel and rent.

Foodbank CEO Brianna Casey has warned "this Christmas is going to be tougher than most," revealing the charity has seen a noticeable shift in the types of people needing assistance this year.

According to the Salvation Army one in seven families now can't afford basics like food or petrol.

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So, how can you help?

Below are a list of charities giving a helping hand to struggling families nation-wide.

Foodbank

Australia's largest hunger relief charity is asking for monetary donations to help supply hampers to struggling families over Christmas.

Australians can donate whatever they wish, but $35 will buy a food hamper for an entire family.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has two main initiatives running over Christmas.

First they've set up a Christmas appeal so people can donate money online to support families facing homeless.

The charity has also partnered with Kmart for it's Wishing Tree appeal, so individuals can donate physical gifts in-store, or monetary ones online.

The Smith Family

The Smith Family help young Australians living in poverty, and supporting their education to help them unlock their potential.

They've set up an online Christmas appeal, which is currently taking online donations. A gift can be a monthly amount, or one-off.

Red Cross

The Red Cross has also set up its Christmas appeal and are asking for donations.

The not-for-profit estimates almost a quarter of older Australians feel lonely some or most of the time, with the festive period marking one of the hardest times.

Money donated to the appeal will go towards supporting the isolated elderly with the "gift of friendship".

Barnados Australia

Children's charity Barnados Australia aims to break the cycle of disadvantage, providing support for vulnerable kids and young people.

It has set up a Christmas appeal, and is asking for donations to help children affected by domestic violence find safety.