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.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Salvos are asking locals to become digital fundraisers by going to digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au and using a suburb or postcode to find their nearest Red Shield Appeal to help those doing it tough.
Australians are facing an economic and social crisis unlike anything witnessed in recent decades and The Salvation Army is preparing to provide hardship support on an unprecedented scale.
Salvation Army Major Heather Unicomb said they anticipate seeing some of the greatest need that we've ever seen in their 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," she said.
The money raised from the Red Shield Appeal Digital Doorknock will stay in local communities in the Port Macquarie and Wauchope area to help fund a range of social programs including the provision of community meals and food parcels for people experiencing hardship, as well as expert financial advice and advocacy through Salvos' Moneycare Financial Counselling.
The Salvation Army's most recent annual report noted its social services provided more than 1 million sessions of care to Australians in need; helped 46,000 people experiencing homelessness, provided financial counselling to more than 65,000 and offered care to 13,000 people who were coping with family violence.
The past year also saw an ongoing response to drought, while Port Macquarie Salvation Army personnel and Salvos Emergency Services responded to the local bushfire crisis by providing meals and support to first responders and displaced people.
"Each May in years past you have seen us in our local shopping centres and walking the Port Macquarie and Wauchope streets, however, the Salvos are going digital this year and it's easier than ever to volunteer your time and help raise money for those in need," Major Unicomb said.
"We are asking our local community to partner with us to provide the critical care needed as we face these challenging times.
"As an increasing number of Australians experience the financial, social and emotional repercussions of COVID-19, we will be there to support and bring hope.
"We have seen how our community came together during the recent bushfires and we are grateful for your continuing support as we respond to this new crisis. Thank you for joining us in giving hope to others."
What else is making news?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.
