Salvation Army calls for extra help

The Salvation Army is offering people the chance to join it for an hour or more to help end poverty in New Zealand.

The organisation is expanding its search for collectors for its annual Red Shield Appeal week from April 30 to May 6. The appeal raises funds to support its frontline services tackling poverty in New Zealand.

Historically, the Salvation Army has used volunteers from among its staff and church members and people it has helped who want to give back. However, after a positive response from the public last year, it is sending out the call again, offering the public the chance to join for an hour or more. 

Salvation Army Community Engagement manager Rhondda Middleton says the Army is extremely grateful for people who gave their time to collect in the past, and the strong backing the appeal receives from the public each year. 

“Your generous donation of time will give people more chances to give and help the Salvation Army to support more New Zealanders living in poverty.”

People who want to sign up as a collector can go to salvationarmy.org.nz and sign up, Rhondda says.

“They just have to fill out a form and be ready and willing to help the Salvation Army, and we will do the rest.” 

Volunteering as a collector was not just of benefit to the Army and its clients, there were upsides for the collector as well, Rhondda says. 

“You really get to feel like you’re part of something big and making a difference. And the number of compliments you get for the Salvation Army’s work during your time collecting is just amazing.” 

Each year in New Zealand the Salvation Army helps more than 60,000 families who are struggling to make ends meet. This support is wide-ranging and includes food and practical aid parcels, budgeting advice, social work, counselling, accommodation assistance and more.

Anyone interested can sign up to volunteer or find out more at salvationarmy.org.nz/redshieldvolunteer.