THE Salvation Army Portland is urging the local community to get involved in this year’s Red Shield Appeal, which will raise vital funds to continue supporting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in the region.

Portland Salvos held their Red Shield Appeal Launch at Twelvefold Portland last Thursday morning, sharing breakfast with about 40 supporters. Captains Peter and Heather Stamp spoke about the appeal and its impact, with many people donating to the appeal following the breakfast.

The Salvation Army has been part of the Portland community since 1885, helping people through the hardest points in their lives.

“Times are tough. We are seeing more people come through our doors every week; new families who have never done it this tough before, and people feeling the pinch,” said Captain Heather Stamp.

“They are skipping meals, unable to afford utility bills or medication for their kids. This is why we need your support.”

The Red Shield Appeal weekend is May 25–26, but there are many other volunteering opportunities throughout the month of May and June.

Schools, workplaces and sport groups are invited to organise a collection or fundraising event, while the Salvos will be doorknocking with collection tins. Collection points will be placed in front of Woolworths and other key locations.

All funds raised will remain in the local community, allowing the Salvos to meet the specific needs of the most disadvantaged and marginalised members in our own region.

The Salvation Army Portland offers homelessness support, welfare, emergency relief, housing, financial assistance, material aid support, a Thrift Shop, Positive Lifestyle Program, the Regional Support Vehicle (Captain Sal), chaplaincy, faith communities, youth and kids camps, pastoral care, work experience, an abundance of volunteering opportunities and more.

In the last six months, the Army has assisted nearly 130 homeless people, and had more than 600 requests for material aid, vouchers, conversation, referrals, or simply a place to feel safe. It also handed out $20,000 worth of toys and $30,000 worth of food over Christmas, and provides more than 200 meals each month for the local community in partnership with Portland Community Mealshare.

The statistics are staggering. Across Australia last year, the Salvo’s network of more  than 400 centres and 2,000 services in areas such as homelessness, family and domestic violence, youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial hardship and much more, provided assistance to one person every 17 seconds, more than 1.67 million sessions of care to over 250,000 people in need, more than 1.2 million bed nights to those who needed accommodation, and more than 1.63 million meals to those who accessed the homelessness services.

In the next few months, following some modifications to the Salvation Army Portland Corps building on Henty Street, the group will open a drop-in community centre. The centre aims to provide a safe and welcoming space for vulnerable community members to connect with others, be fed, and keep warm.

To continue making a strong impact, the Salvation Army Portland needs the community’s support.

“There is no better way to support your community than through volunteering and we would love to have you as part of our Red Shield Appeal army this year,” Ms Stamp said.

“Grab a mate, some work colleagues or the entire family and join us. We can’t do our work in the community without you.

 “The Glenelg Shire region needs your support more than ever. (We) are grateful for the generosity we have received over the past 60 years of the Red Shield Appeal and we hope to see our community come together again this year as we seek to make it another 60 years.”