The Salvation Army is calling on members of the public to help needy families have an enjoyable Christmas holiday this year.

As the organisation begins its Christmas fundraising drive, it reminded the public that not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to afford the expenses which come with the holiday season.

Donations given to the Salvation Army will help the organisation provide needy families and helping agencies with toys, food vouchers and ?extras? bags as well as chickens and turkeys.

Lynn Gordon, the Family Services coordinator at the Salvation Army, said since November needy families have been able to sign up for food vouchers. Helping agencies and Government-run services and homes, such as Child and Family Services and Hope Homes to name a few, will also receive chickens and turkeys.

Ms Gordon said the organisation is looking at distributing several hundred food vouchers in addition to bags with extra supplies of groceries collected from canned good drives at schools and community organisations.

?The Salvation Army is looking to raise as much awareness as we can,? said Ms Gordon. ?If we have more resources we can add resources and programmes for the benefit of the community.?

The Salvation Army will start its Kettle fundraising campaign outside AS Cooper?s tomorrow.

Members of the public can make cash donations which will be used to help maintain services provided to clients, such as the Salvation Army, the Harbour Lights programme and other rehabilitation services.

The Kettle campaign takes place on December 9, 15, 16, and 17 at Cooper?s. On December 18 members of the public can make donations in Trimingham?s.

Divisional secretary for business administration Major Clarence Ingram said the public?s generosity will help support a number of programmes as the Salvation Army hopes to raise a significant sum of money.

?The Salvation Army needs your help to carry on the ministry of helping those in need,? he said. ?This year we have experienced major funding cuts to our social programmes for addiction rehabilitation and emergency housing. While the programmes have been maintained, the reduced funding levels have affected the services being provided to our clients.

?The Christmas season can be an especially difficult time for many of the individuals and families we serve. Christmas should be a joyous time and as such we are inviting you, through your financial support, to partner with us in helping those in need. Together we can make a difference.?

The Salvation Army can be contacted at 292-0601.