The Salvos help people in many ways but they do need financial assistance and this weekend the organisation will be holding its annual Red Shield Appeal.

Major Garry Johnson (Bay and Basin) and Lieutenant Matthew Sutcliffe (Nowra Area) are getting ready for their first local Red Shield Appeal.

Both officers know people who for various reasons struggle to meet the costs of living.

The appeal helps local welfare needs in various ways.

The funds raised are used to help run the Salvo’s successful substance abuse Bridge Program, hold camps for local underprivileged children and more.

The Bridge Program gets limited funding, which is where the appeal comes in to help.

LT Sutcliffe said substance abuse was a problem in the Shoalhaven.

“The ease of getting drugs and alcohol is, particularly for young people, far too easy,” he said.

“Ice is a major problem here in in the Shoalhaven.”

The Salvo’s Bridge outpatient program does a great job with limited funding, which is where the Red Shield Appeal comes in with its funds for interlinking programs.

“The Red Shield appeal will help local people in many ways,” LT Sutcliffe said.

“It helps with our rehabilitation services and with our emergency relief.”

“Local people have access to the broader spectrum of services that the Army offers,” Major Johnson added.

LT Sutcliffe said many communities around the area were hurting.

“You find almost every week someone comes in or rings up and says, ‘I wonder if you can help with this’.”

This weekend there will be collections points in local shopping centres across the Shoalhaven, including Bunnings on Saturday, and volunteers will also be doing door-knock collections.

So if you see one of the collectors, who will be easily identified by Salvation Army-branded aprons and ID lanyards, make sure you dig deep to help out.