The Salvation Army Forbes and Parkes is again organising Christmas toys for families in need.

This year the Salvation Army will be partnering with Khub in Forbes again as they host the 37th ‘K-Mart Wishing Tree Appeal’.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the Australian Community the Appeal has collected more than 14 million gifts since it began in 1987, with an average of 300,000 gifts donated annually.

Khub launched their Christmas Toy Appeal on Tuesday, November 12.

Brand new toys and gifts – unwrapped – can be donated at Khub Forbes or at the Forbes and Parkes Family Stores.

Whilst there is a need across all age groups, the Salvos see a particularly strong need for gifts among tweens and teenagers. Please consider buying a gift for all ages, including teenagers.

Christmas is the busiest time of the year for the Salvos.

This year we expect the need to be the most significant we have seen due to the increasing rise in cost-of-living expenses.

Our role is to ensure everyone experiences a little cheer at Christmas, irrespective of their circumstances.

Families can register for gifts for children in their care at the Salvos Stores:

• Forbes Family Store – 128 Rankin Street, between 9.30am and 3.30pm Tuesday to Friday

• Parkes Family Store – 33 Church Street, between 10am and 2pm Tuesday to Thursday

Application forms must be in by Friday, November 29.

Families will be contacted and given a day and time slot, in December, to come to the Family Stores to collect their gifts.

"Thanks Khub, and the generous public of this area for your support again this year," Parkes and Forbes Corps leaders Wendy Broome said.

During the Christmas period last year, thanks to the generosity of the Australian public, The Salvation Army nationally:

• received over 330,000 gifts and toys for families who might otherwise have gone without,

• provided over 184,000 meals to those experiencing homelessness,

• and provided more than 92,000 bed nights for families in need of accommodation during the festive season.