This week is Red Shield Appeal Week. However, volunteers won’t be seen door knocking or collecting at retail outlets. Australians are being asked to donate online
 
Australians are facing an economic and social crisis unlike anything witnessed in decades and The Salvation Army is preparing to provide hardship support on an unprecedented scale.

Now more than ever, people are turning to The Salvation Army for urgent help and The Salvos are bracing for a further influx once isolation measures are lifted.

The Salvation Army has remained committed to delivering emergency support to anyone who needs it during the pandemic, despite the need for extensive changes to the way it operates.

The Relationship Manager for The Salvation Army in Northern NSW Mr Johnstone says, “We anticipate seeing some of the greatest need that we’ve ever seen in our 140-year history serving Australians. The Covid-19 crisis has financially crippled many Australians and it will take months to see the real impact it will have”. The money raised from the Red Shield Appeal will stay locally to help fund our social programs and other support we provide so we leave no one in need”.

With the national unemployment rate forecast to hit 10% by June, The Salvation Army is bracing itself for dramatic increases in the number of people seeking help with financial hardship, homelessness and domestic violence.

“We expect to see the number of people who require assistance increase even more once the Government’s JobKeeper and additional funds under JobSeeker conclude in the coming months,” says Rowan Johnstone.

The call for help comes as The Salvos prepare for the annual Red Shield Appeal weekends (May 23 and 24 and 20 to 31) which supports personal hardship relief services across the country.

After more than 55 years of knocking on doors each May, The Salvation Army is taking the Red Shield Appeal digital in response to COVID-19’s impact on social contact.

The Salvos are going digital this year and it’s easier than ever to help raise money for those in need “We are asking our local communities to partner with us to provide the critical care needed as we face these challenging times. We know when the chips are down, Aussies come together and do what they can to give hope, this is no more important than now” Mr Johnstone says.

To donate to your local Salvos fundraising page, click on the following;

Northern Rivers or phone 66247326
Ballina – Byron Bay or phone 6686 5538
Tweed Heads or phone 07 5524 5081
Coffs Harbour or phone 6652 8777
Grafton or phone 6643 1650
Maclean or phone 6645 4456