Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a recent experience that highlights exactly why this petition exists.

I visited a Salvos store after being told that if someone is struggling, they can simply ask for help. So I did.

I explained that I couldn’t afford the item, that I hold a concession card, and that it was for my child.

The answer was still no.

I left feeling embarrassed and honestly quite humiliated.

What stood out wasn’t just the pricing, it was the gap between what people are told and what actually happens in practice.

There were also multiple items in store that did not reflect what most people would consider “affordable” or “low-cost goods.” I will be continuing to document and share these examples for transparency.

To be clear, this is not about staff or volunteers. This is about a broader issue around consistency, accessibility, and how “affordability” is being defined and applied.

If support is available, it needs to be accessible without people feeling ashamed or turned away.

This is why your support matters.

We are not asking for anything unreasonable, just clarity, consistency, and genuine access to affordable goods for the people who rely on these services.

Thank you for continuing to stand behind this.

Please keep signing and sharing. 

Cass