It truly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Shops are brimming with festive products, the airwaves are beginning to hum with Christmas tunes and families are putting up their Christmas trees across the country.

For the Salvos, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas too, but for a very different reason. For us, we are starting to see our busiest time of year come to fruition; we are seeing the need for our services increasing, more and more people calling up for Christmas support, the financial and emotional stresses of the festive period beginning to overwhelm people, and the threat of loneliness and isolation starting to creep into people’s lives.

For many, Christmas is a time of joy, relaxation, sharing with family and friends, and hope. But for some, including many of those who The Salvation Army support every day, Christmas is a time of increased pressure, stress and loneliness.

We have seen another devastating year for people financially in 2024. The Salvos have seen an increase in demand for our services. Individuals and families who have never reached out to a charity before are doing so for the first time this year.

In fact, recent research from the Salvos found that 7 in 10 Australians are watching their spending more this Christmas compared to previous years. Shockingly, 56% of Aussies will be spending less money on food this Christmas.

But there is hope. Throughout the Christmas period, The Salvation Army distribute hundreds of thousands of gifts and toys, food hampers, special Christmas meals and much more to those who are doing it tough in our community.

We also provide safe places for community and connection. We often find that a friendly chat or a shoulder to cry on can be just as powerful as the practical support of gifts, meals and hampers.

The Salvos want everyone to know that we are here for you this Christmas if you need support. No child should have to go without a present on Christmas Day, no person without a special Christmas meal, and no one without a place to go for community and connection. Reach out to us if you need a hand.

We also can’t do this work without the support of the Australian public through our Christmas Appeal, which is aiming to raise $27 million this year so Aussies don’t have to go without this Christmas.

If you need help this Christmas, or if you are able to donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal, please visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).

From all of us at the Salvos, we wish you a very happy and hope-filled Christmas.

Colonel Rodney Walters

The Salvation Army