Now in its 56th year, the Red Shield Appeal is the Salvos' flagship fundraising appeal which aims to raise $32 million to fund more than 2000 centres and services across Australia.

In Cowra, the Salvos are aiming to raise $8200, with funds raised locally staying local.

After the devastating impact of COVID-19 in 2020, the Salvos are seeing some of the greatest need in their history, making this year's Red Shield Appeal vitally important.

The Salvos need community members to volunteer for the Red Shield Appeal this May in their local area, where all local funds raised will stay in the community.

"The community of Cowra have always faithfully backed the Salvos, and this year we need people to volunteer and raise funds to ensure that we can continue the work in the community for years to come," Major Louise Nicholson said.

"Last year, through the generous support of the community during the Red Shield Appeal, we were able to provide hot meals, fresh meat and Christmas hampers for more than 90 families and Christmas gifts for 183 children.

"As well as ongoing community support throughout the year."

Money raised locally this year will help enable Christmas assistance in 2021 and ongoing community support to others.

The Salvos are encouraging the community to become "Digital Doorknockers" by creating an online fundraising page to raise money for their local Salvos.

To become a Digital Doorknocker, visit https://digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au/t/cowra-salvos create your personalised page and share it with your family, friends and fellow community members.

The Salvos are also in need of 20,000 in-person volunteers for this year's Red Shield Appeal to collect in the community.

To volunteer in-person, contact your local Salvos at the Salvation Army Family Store, 5 Macquarie Street, Cowra.

Last year, the Salvos across Australia provided over one million occasions of care to those in need, supported more than 40,000 people experiencing homelessness, distributed 1.5 million meals through our homelessness services, gave over 43,000 occasions of care to those experiencing family and domestic violence, and distributed almost $100 million worth of financial assistance to people doing it tough.*

"The Salvos cannot do what we do without the generosity of the public in our community," Major Louise Nicholson said.

"If you have the means, please consider donating to the Red Shield Appeal or become a volunteer this year.

"Your generosity and support will help us to leave no one in need."

To donate or volunteer for The Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal, or if you need support from the Salvos, visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS.

You can also donate at any Salvos Store.