One of Victoria's biggest refugee charities, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), is on the brink of closure, saying it only has enough savings to continue operating for another seven weeks.
The ASRC, based in Footscray, has been operating for 21 years helping support thousands of people seeking asylum.
But the centre said public donations were down 45 per cent since July 2022, putting the service under financial pressure.
ASRC Advocacy Director Jana Favero said support from the community had rapidly declined over the past year.
"There's absolutely no doubt that people are doing it tough and they're having to make a decision between putting food on their own tables or donating," she said.
"It is an absolutely difficult decision so that's why we're asking people to chip in whatever they can, every dollar makes a difference."
Ms Favero said the ASRC had cut its workforce by 10 per cent and had been sticking to its operational budgets but was on the brink of collapse.
"If we do get into that position of having to close our doors, there is a big question as to where people will go because charities are doing it tough all across Victoria and Australia," she said.
The ASRC helps people seeking asylum with legal advice, health services and education support as well as distributing food and goods that have been donated.
It does not receive any federal government funding.
