THE local Salvation Army has appealed for support from the Redlands community as they embark on fundraising at shopping centres and Bunnings as part of the Red Shield Appeal.
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The money raised from May 23 to 26 goes to support local community projects.
Bayside church leader Natalie Frame appealed to the public to give generously so the Salvos could continue to provide hope where it was needed most in the local community.
Nationally, the Salvos have set a target of $8 million for the Red Shield Appeal.
Queensland leader Lieutenant Colonel David Godkin said the Salvos had supported more than 38,000 people experiencing homelessness, 14,000 people overcoming addiction, provided more than 50,000 financial counselling sessions, given care to 5000 people experiencing family violence, and helped more than 150,000 people with emergency relief.
He said recent natural disasters like the Townsville floods and fires around Gladstone, along with the growing number of Australians overwhelmed by the continual rise in the cost of living meant more Australians were turning to the Salvation Army for support.
"The Red Shield Appeal is a real and tangible way that Queenslanders can truly make a difference in alleviating the hardship being faced by so many people, right across our state," Lieutenant Colonel Godkin said.
"Hardship does not discriminate. More Queenslanders from all walks of life are turning to the Salvation Army for help and we need the public's support now to ensure we can continue to help those doing it tough."
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The Salvation Army's public relations secretary in Queensland Simon Gregory said the Salvos' ability to provide services like Pindari and Moonyah in Brisbane that helped people experiencing homelessness and addiction would not be possible without public support.
"We cannot do this alone," Mr Gregory said. "We all have the opportunity to be beacons of hope for others and by partnering with the Salvos for just a few hours over the Red Shield Appeal weekend, you can give hope where it's needed most."
Ms Frame has asked for volunteers to help at shopping centre collections, barbecues and by knocking on doors to ask for donations.
Anyone who can volunteer should call Ms Frame on 0413 294 427.
Donations can be made by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58), via salvationarmy.org.au, in person at a Westpac branch or Salvos Stores or post cheques to PO Box 9888, Brisbane, QLD 4001.
