Chaplain Brett Gallagher said the numbers in the Salvos' extraordinary report, which followed a national survey of 2400 people, resonate throughout the Hastings valley.

The report, which was released ahead of Sunday's Red Shield Appeal, estimated 2.5 million Australians live below the poverty line.

"Once our clients have paid accommodation they really don't have much to live on," Major Gallagher said.

Two of the biggest issues facing the Mid-North Coast are the rising cost of accommodation and the availability of affordable housing.

"We have a situation where people are waiting more than five years to wait to get into Department of Housing or community housing," Major Gallagher.

"That's made worse because they have to find somewhere to live while they wait."

He said many people, particularly parents, will go without meals.

"They often plan to have one good meal per week, and then just try to get by until they next eat."

The survey showed 87 per cent of adults and 60 per cent of children reported severe deprivation.

Improving life for those living on the fringes will only be possible by look at the "whole picture," Major Gallagher explained.

"For too long there have been band-aid solutions," he said.

"It's not about giving people a hand-out.

"It's about getting to the root problem through casework to find a solution for people."