The Salvation Army is experiencing the greatest demand for help in its 140-year history as it hopes to raise $36 million in its annual Red Shield Appeal.

The Salvation Army’s spokesperson Major Bruce Harmer said the ongoing effects of Covid-19, devastating floods, rising costs of living and increasing housing stress pressures had led to unprecedented demand on The Salvos support services.

As we head into a cold, wet winter, he said it was now more important than ever for Aussies to heed the national charity’s call to “leave no one in need this year”.

“The Salvos are seeing some of the greatest need we have witnessed in our 140-year history,” Major Harmer said. “We are seeing more people present to our services around the country, as well as new faces who have never reached out to a charity before.

“However, we have seen throughout The Salvos 140-year history that, in times of crisis, Australians come together to help their fellow Aussies in need. This is what we are asking for our Red Shield Appeal.”

The Salvos is urging people to give what they can to help raise $36 million during the month of May to assist their fellow Aussies in need, with the Red Shield Appeal Weekend occurring on May 28-29.

Owen Davis knows only too well what it is like to be in need. At 13 he was homeless and spent a year living on the streets of Wollongong and Sydney before he ended up behind bars and, thankfully, was bailed into the care of The Salvation Army’s youth program Oasis at Surry Hills.

“The Salvation Army saved my life – they are my family, they literally loved me back to life,” he said.

“I was kicked out of home, I was lost and alone and had no one to turn to. It was one of the hardest times I have had to deal with and I was only a child. I got into alcohol and drugs and I was out of control – I hated the world and everyone in it.

“When I got to Oasis, The Salvation Army stood by me for the first time I could remember and said: ‘You are not alone’.”

Through The Salvos, Owen turned his life around – and is now giving back through The Salvos.

Owen’s story is just one of thousands of men, women and children currently experiencing homelessness, especially amid the added stress of the global pandemic.

Owen, who now volunteers with The Salvos, said he had seen homelessness double since the start of the Covid pandemic – making this year’s Red Shield Appeal more important than ever.

“People who have never reached out in their lives are now asking for help,” he said.

“If we do nothing, we will have nothing. Even if you can only donate a small amount, it all adds up to make the biggest difference to people like me.”

Major Harmer said “the impacts of the past few years have sadly seen an increase in family violence” which is the largest cause of women and children becoming homeless in Australia. In the past 12 months alone, The Salvos has supported 5,800 women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.

The Salvos has helped tens of millions of people in its 140-year history – on average one person every 17 seconds – but it relies on the generosity of the Australian public in the form of donations to continue its work.

Over the past 12 months the Salvation Army, through its network of more than 400 centres across Australia, has provided:

· more than 1.5 million meals to those experiencing homelessness

· more than 880,000 crisis beds

· support and counselling to more than 34,500 people struggling with drug, alcohol, or gambling addiction

· financial counselling to almost 13,000 people

· $70 million in financial assistance

· programs to support almost 5000 young people

· support services and programs for more than 68,000 job-seekers

· aged care support

· crisis care and support during natural disasters. 

“Crisis means something different for everyone we meet,” Major Harmer said. “We are calling on all Australians to partner with us in this year’s Red Shield Appeal, to help ensure we leave no one in need.”

The Salvation Army’s 58th annual Red Shield Appeal Doorknock Weekend is happening on Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29, or people can donate by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or online at salvationarmy.org.au until June 30.