The Salvation Army launched its 2016 Red Shield Appeal at City Hall yesterday.

The Governor, George Fergusson, kicked off the annual fundraising drive by purchasing the first tag.

“The Salvation Army relies very heavily on funds and donations, as provided by the public, the corporate sector and by the Government,” Calvin Ming, the divisional director of public relations and development, told The Royal Gazette.

“The funds actually go towards the service of our community and family service, that is our food hampers and distribution.”

This programme runs all year and assists about 5,000 people.

“We also have two other feeding programmes,” Mr Ming added.

Volunteers with the street outreach programme feed the homeless with soup and sandwiches six times per week. But Mr Ming said the volunteers did not just provide food — they also aimed to build relationships to help those living on the streets transition to a shelter.

Meanwhile, the second feeding programme based at North Street Citadel supplies about 70 to 100 people with a meal five times per week.

Red Shield services also include family services, the residential addiction treatment programme Harbour Light, the food bank and thrift store, emergency housing, supportive housing, transitional housing, disaster services and youth camping.

The Salvation Army will be holding an island-wide tag day tomorrow to raise funds in support of its programmes and Mr Ming encouraged everyone to support the effort.

“The Salvation Army tries to restore hope and dignity to individuals,” he said. “All of what we do would not be possible if it was not shared with some sort of commitment from our whole community.”