Demand for support in Bendigo has jumped as expected since JobKeeper ended

Over the past month, Bendigo Foodshare manager Bridget Bentley said the pressure was on to meet demand.

"Demand has remained strong, basically the food that we get in goes straight back out, it's a bit of a supply and demand issue really for us," she said.

"We could do with more food coming in."

Ms Bently said the surge was absolutely expected.

More news: Bendigo Advertiser supplier's van stolen before morning run

"At Foodshare, we give food to registered organisations that get it out to the community and they are certainly reporting an increase in need with the winding up of JobKeeper and (reductions to) JobSeeker," she said.

"It keeps the pressure on for us to keep sourcing as much food as possible and we are aware that if we had more food, we could get more out to vulnerable community members.

"Newstart just isn't enough for people to live on."

JobKeeper was introduced in March 2020, with a flat payment of $1500 a fortnight for eligible employees.

The payments stopped on March 28.

Other news: Why this majestic Castlemaine oak crowned was tree of the year

Uniting Vic Tas financial inclusion senior manager Becky Herridge said her organisation had experienced significant demand in Bendigo since JobKeeper ended.

"Demand on our emergency relief services has risen significantly since the end of JobKeeper and the reduction in the JobSeeker payment," she said.

"We're bracing for this demand to continue to increase in the coming months.

"Both our Forest Street and Kangaroo Flat emergency relief centres have reported a rise in the numbers of people coming to us for help who have also experienced, or are experiencing, homelessness or family violence."

Ms Herridge said many residents needed help with everyday expenses.

More news: Victoria records no new COVID-19 cases overnight | Wednesday May 5

"With the end of JobKeeper and a drop in JobSeeker, there are people who are struggling to pay for everyday living expenses such as the rent, food and household bills," she said.

"We believe the JobSeeker rate should be raised further because it's currently still well below what people need to be able to live a life with dignity and a bit of hope and to keep them from poverty."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: