Many people struggle to meet the rising costs of living and need a hand up.

The Shoalhaven is lucky to have an organisation like St Vincent de Paul Society ready to help people in need.

For Vinnies to help people in need the organisation itself needs help from the community.

Vinnies is getting ready for its annual doorknock appeal over the weekends of August 18-19 and August 25-26 and volunteers are urgently needed.

Ivor Davies is getting ready for his 20th year as a volunteer doorknock collector and would love to welcome new volunteers.

He said people always support the doorknock appeal with generous donations.

“People are very responsive and generous,” he said.

“However, getting enough volunteers is the thing.”

The doorknock stalwart said it was hard to get volunteers.

“People just don’t like doing it but some people are happy to sit in a shopping centre and this raises some money,” he said.

He said the face to face contact from the doorknock was the most effective way to make money.

Mr Davies, who soon turns 84-years-of-age, says if he can walk the walk there is no reason why other members of the community can’t join him.

“I can walk and on the day I can raise $2000 just by myself,” he said.

“I think St Vincent de Paul has a good reputation in this area.

“Okay you do get a few knockbacks but in general people are pretty good.

“I think it's a great way to exercise and you meet people as well.”

The committed collector said afterwards the doorknock volunteers can reflect on upon the great thing they did.

Anyone interested in helping Vinnies by becoming a doorknock volunteer can call Mary Dunn on 0421 834 846.

Mr Davies said the money was used to help local people in a variety of ways.

“The majority of the money goes to food assistance for people who just can’t cope that week or for the upcoming fortnight,” he said.

He said the said the number of people in need was high.

“The number of people in need of help is not going down,” he said.

“The majority of people we assist are on social security which is totally impossible to live on if you are by yourself and there are people on disability pensions who also need help.”

The organisation supports between 40 to 50 people/families each week which often goes up to  60.

Vinnies expects its peak time of assisting people is coming soon.

“In another month’s time the need will gradually build up,” he said.

The Vinnies volunteer said the money raised in Shoalhaven stayed in the area.

Last year the doorknock raised an impressive $12 000.

“We spend $8000 to $9000 a month just on food,” Mr Davies said.

People get vouchers for local supermarkets and Vinnies helps provide clothing and vouchers for power bills as well.

Funds from the group’s op-shops are also used to support local people.