Salvos hope donations dry spell is over

The Salvos are hoping a donations dry spell is over and its annual Christmas appeal will raise $15 million to fund vital welfare services.

The tough federal budget and Salvation Army-related revelations before the child abuse Royal Commission triggered a shortfall in the Salvos' Red Shield Appeal Doorknock earlier this year.

Dr Bruce Redman said the Salvos, like the broader community, was shocked by the revelations of abuse suffered by children at homes it ran in Queensland and NSW in the 1960s and 1970s.

He said it showed the Salvos were not immune from the "scourge of child abuse".

"The revelations of the royal commission have been shocking to all of us," Mr Redman, who is Salvation Army communications director, told AAP.

"That, of course is the aim of the Royal Commission, to make people aware of the scourge of child abuse across the community, and we are very supportive of that."

He said the community recognised these were historic cases, and that the Salvos' work to provide crisis support and financial help to needy families was ongoing.

"Australians are amazing in their generosity and support for the Salvation Army - it's astounding, and something we certainly don't take for granted," Dr Redman said.

"They know that we are continuing the work."

A report released alongside the Christmas appeal showed the Salvos provided emergency help - such as a food hamper or travel voucher - to more than 320,000 Australians last year.

Almost 60 per cent of cases involved women, almost half involved a parent with child, and 16 per cent of cases involved homelessness.

Australians can support the Salvos' 2014 Christmas Appeal by buying the "Spirit of Christmas" CD sold at Myer, by donating via the Wishing Tree at Kmart, or to the Salvos online.