THE Salvation Army's Sunraysia branch is out and about in the community as the Red Shield Appeal continues this month.

2024 year marks the 60th anniversary of the appeal nationwide, which raises funds to deliver community programs and social services across the country.

Salvation Army Sunraysia's Major Debbie Serojales said the local branch has a goal of raising $31,000 this year to be able to keep their programs going.

"What is really important for us is for people to be aware that all donations we get here in Sunraysia stay local and go straight back into the community," she said.

One of the ways in which that money is spent locally is through the two community meals run every week in Mildura and Red Cliffs, which now have about 100 people attending weekly.

"People for a variety of reasons come to it, it might be cost of living, but people are also connecting and making friendships," Major Serojales said.

With community support vital to rising money for the Salvation Army Major Serojales also said individual donations or business support all made a difference.

"We couldn’t do to the extent of what we do without the community support," she said.

"It allows us to do more so we do rely on it. It is so helpful and people have been amazingly generous."

The Salvation Army Sunraysia will this week be at Coles on Eighth Street and Woolworths on Langtree Avenue collecting donations, and will be doing an intersection collection at Eighth and Deakin Streets on Saturday May 25 as part of the traditional national doorknock effort.

"Some people say they only have a few a coins but if everyone gives a few coins it adds up," Major Serojales said.

The Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal runs from April to June, with the national doorknock taking place on May 25 and 26.

To make a donation online, visit the Salvation Army Sunraysia Facebook page.