The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal which was due to hit the streets this weekend has gone online with people being urged to respond to the digital doorknock campaign.
It is the first time in its 55-year history that The Salvation Army’s traditional door-knock is running online. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis the demand for services has escalated.
Stephanie Dale who chairs the Salvation Army’s Western Sydney Business Appeal Committee said the the goal for the Western Sydney Red Shield Appeal this year is $130,000.
“We realise it’s a big ask given how generous the community has been already with bushfire and flood appeals having people reach deep into their pockets but we are hoping that we can achieve this goal,” she said.
Money raised by the appeal helps with both direct and immediate financial support, legal advice and assistance, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, support and assistance to victims of domestic abuse, youth services, social services assistance and housing, to name a name a few.
Sydney Streetlevel Mission has seen a 40 per cent increase in demand for meals and Salvos in Liverpool have nearly doubled the number of meals they are providing. Emergency relief is also up by 60 per cent.
“To me the Salvos represent the essence of the word “community” – they are quite literally the glue that holds us together in what is fast becoming a fragmented society,” said Ms Dale.
She is urging businesses and individuals to jump online and set up a fundraising page at digitaldoorknock. salvationarmy.org.au
• The Salvos Red Shield helps more than 300,000 Aussies in need and funds more than 2000 vital services and programs.
With NSW Treasury forecasting that the number of unemployed people in NSW will more than double by the end of this year to between 7 and 10 per cent (the highest for 28 years) – The Salvation Army is bracing itself for ongoing increases in the number of people seeking help with financial problems, homelessness and domestic violence.
A tax-deductible donation can be made at salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).
