Each May businesses across the Hunter region come together to support The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal.

Whether it’s by attending the Red Shield Appeal business luncheon or donating directly over Doorknock Weekend, local businesses play a vital role in helping the Salvos support people experiencing hardship.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has changed the way the Salvos will fundraise for the Red Shield Appeal in 2020, with the Salvos encouraging businesses to support their first ever Digital Doorknock.

The Digital Doorknock is the new look approach to the Red Shield Appeal and Salvation Army Public Relations and Fundraising Manager, Nicole Jenkinson, says funds raised through this platform will stay in the Hunter to support local people in crisis.

“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,” Nicole said.

“We have already seen the financial impact that COVID-19 has had in our immediate communities. In addition to continuing our existing programs, our COVID response has taken our personnel into suburbs across the Hunter, delivering food parcels and supporting the elderly.

“We’re mindful that current needs will inevitably escalate as the government’s Job Seeker payments revert back to the Newstart allowance – it may take months to realise the full scale of social and financial needs.”

The Salvation Army has twelve services located across the Hunter region and the Red Shield Appeal funds the many social programs delivered by these centres.

Nicole said that people can be rest assured that any donated money through the Appeal will be distributed locally to the services who need it most.

“It’s important to stress that financial contributions to the Red Shield Appeal Digital Doorknock stay local and fund vital social services including Hunter Oasis, Moneycare Financial Counselling and our specialist drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs,” she said.

“Donations also contribute to our emergency relief response, providing people in need with food parcels and bill support – we know that none of this great work is possible without funds raised through the Red Shield Appeal.”

The Salvos are asking Hunter businesses that can help to dig deep this year, so that The Salvation Army can continue to respond to local need at this especially challenging time.

Contributions to the Red Shield Appeal can be made via The Salvation Army’s Digital Doorknock website.

IMAGE | Salvos Red Shield Appeal goes digital in times of COVID-19.