Bunbury Salvation Army calls out for volunteers for 2021 Red Shield Appeal

Marking the appeal's 56^th year running, the Salvos Red Shield Appeal needs both 'tin-shakers' and 'Digital Doorknockers' in order to raise $32 million Australia wide for those in need.

With 100 per cent of funds raised locally staying in the community, the Salvation Army is this year aiming to raise $7 million in Western Australia.

The Salvation Army South West Captain Mark Schatz said the Red Shield Appeal was even more vital this year due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There hasn't been a year where we've needed this as much as this year. COVID has had us see a lot of new people access our services, bringing up needs that we just never had to think about before," Mr Schatz said.

According to Mr Schatz, job loss, higher rents and the increase in food pricing are all contributing factors to community members requiring access to the charities' services.

He said there are more than 100 volunteers needed to collect donations from the community as well as to be 'Digital Doorknockers', a COVID safe initiative where community members can create online fundraising pages to collect donations.

"There are collection stations happening now and throughout the rest of May. But we need our whole community to get on board and donate to the Salvos. The exciting thing is that all the money raised stays in the South West. "

The call out for volunteers also extends to businesses to hold themed, dress up days and collect donations through break rooms and offices.

"We are the shield that protects the community from the onslaught of life. We're the safety net to society; we catch people as they're falling through cracks. We help in their time of need."

Money raised locally last year enabled the Salvation Army to install two glass door fridges in Bunbury and Busselton, as well as install new shelving to boost bread stocks through the SecondBite program

Red Shield Appeal funds also allowed the Salvation Army to keep their van on the road to collect fruit, vegetables and bread deemed no longer suitable to sell from supermarkets.

"This year the money raised will go towards continuing to keep our van in the road. Without the van we can't move furniture around, or save vegetables and bread from shopping centres five days a week throughout the South West."

The Bean and Cone ice-creamery in Bunbury will also donate one dollar from every ice cream sold in May to the Salvos Red Shield Appeal.

To donate or volunteer, call 13 SALVOS.